Genesis 2:1-3
There are probably some reading this that know a little bit about “burning the candle at both ends.” Many of us live lives of constant busyness with little or no concept of down time or rest factored in. Friends, this is not God’s plan at all, and the way we miss out on this is so sad.
Even today the idea of Sabbath gets wrapped up in a lot of legalistic and ritual baggage that destroys the reason God created a day of rest for His creation; in the beginning He showed us that to work six days and rest on one is honorable and pleasing to God. God certainly does not need rest; he is omnipotent! God rested as an example for us to follow.
Unfortunately, the Pharisees in the days of Jesus had really messed up the entire concept of a Sabbath rest, and made it about following their rules and meeting man made expectations. Among many Christians even today, the Lord’s Day is about what can be done and what cannot be done. As He did on so many things, Jesus told us the way on this as well, telling us “And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath” Mark 2:27.
Friends a day of rest, worship, service and fellowship is not a burden or an obligation. It is a wonderful gift from God, and The Father and the Son both showed us this by example. Will we follow it?
Truth in Palmyra 
February 20, 2018 at 08:07
AMEN!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 20, 2018 at 08:08
Thanks and good morning Elizabeth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 20, 2018 at 08:18
You are welcome and a GOOD MORNING to you, too! I am enjoying the extreme weather change! We live in Illinois it is 60 degrees and raining in February! It had snowed 3 inches plus this past Saturday! LOL!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 20, 2018 at 08:24
It’s going to hit 79 here in South Arkansas today!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 20, 2018 at 08:18
Wally, my recent study of the concept of the Sabbath rest has led to some amazing discoveries. First, I agree that God did NOT need to rest; rather, He rested on the 7th day as an example. Not only did He rest on the Sabbath, he build a “pause” into the whole of creation. It is God’s desire that we keep a balance in our lives. Work is never the whole of who we are. By Sabbath, we are freed from seeing work as a “burden,” and as our sole aim in life. We need not carry the burden of carrying work 7 days a week. True Sabbath reminds us that God can run the universe without us for one 24-hour period. Taking time to rest puts our “work” or “calling” into perspective. It stops us from charge off saving the world but losing ourselves.For me, true observance of Sabbath is akin to tithing, but involves our time and our worship rather than our money. Even the farmer understands the importance of “pause,” shown by the practice of crop rotation and allowing their fields to rest.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 20, 2018 at 08:25
Well said Steve. Love the crop rotation example and how He built this concept into nature itself. I appreciated you adding that to this discussion
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 20, 2018 at 08:42
Well said, Wally. And as much as I enjoy keeping the Sabbath on Saturday, He is much more concerned with us keeping a Sabbath’s rest no matter which day of the week it may fall on.
LikeLiked by 2 people
February 20, 2018 at 08:48
Once again Don you have completely gotten the point thank you as always. Sometimes I think you and I we’re twins separated at Birth
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 20, 2018 at 09:30
Well the bible does not say God thinks that. Churches took on Sunday worship following pagan principles. It was all about the SUN god.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 20, 2018 at 11:10
Hi Lana. Thanks for coming by and I appreciate the comment. There might be a time and place to have a debate in the day of the Sabbath, but that’s really now where I was going with this post. The example and the idea of a day of rest in our lives is clearly taught, and that’s all I was addressing here. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 20, 2018 at 11:28
The sabbath (Fri/Sat) is God’s clear teaching so we cannot pick and choose – it is a shame churches ignore it – except for the SDAs who are cult like unfort!
LikeLiked by 2 people
February 20, 2018 at 11:30
Thanks Lana. The concept of a day for rest and worship is indeed clear. Thanks
LikeLike
February 20, 2018 at 12:23
Hey Don You’ve Got Mail
LikeLike
February 20, 2018 at 08:42
Thanks for the great reminder. This is very important and very neglected.
Be blessed. God is with you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 20, 2018 at 08:50
Thank you Michael as I have said before I often write these things to myself and in this case it is even more true
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 20, 2018 at 10:35
Thanks for the lesson, Wally! You’ll want to edit this one sentence in the second paragraph though: God certainly does need rest.
Not being picky, just trying to help out a brother! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 20, 2018 at 11:12
Hmm…Tom, I suppose you will need to elaborate on that one a bit. Feel free. Technically, God need nothing being existent, but I bet you have a good point in there somewhere.
LikeLike
February 20, 2018 at 11:40
Sure, Wally. I’m thinking you meant to write, “God certainly does NOT need rest” rather than “God certainly does need rest.”
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 20, 2018 at 12:13
Ohhhhhhh yeah
Hmm. I saw that and thought I fixed it.
Hold one
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 20, 2018 at 12:16
Oops I had fixed it but it saved as a local draft. Thanks brother
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 20, 2018 at 12:30
Sure thing, Wally! When you pushed back initially you had me wondering if my dementia was kickin’ in early! 🙂
LikeLike
February 20, 2018 at 12:49
Well, my apologies, Tom. I actually thought it had kicked in, too! When we start our denomination we have to write everything down LOL.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 20, 2018 at 13:03
RE: When we start our denomination we have to write everything down
No time for typing for you or me when that happens. We will have to have a large administrative staff. We’ll put them up in a building next to our helicopter hanger. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 20, 2018 at 13:06
Helicopter? Huh? Half stepper you are. I want a jet! With a runway that stops at my door.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 20, 2018 at 13:10
Okay but we’ll have to hire Copeland to fly it for us because I’m all thumbs when it comes to anything that moves faster than sound.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 20, 2018 at 13:14
Ba hahaha
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 20, 2018 at 17:55
And, of course, the Sabbath points forward to Jesus, our true Sabbath rest, in whom we cease our labors to attain God favour.
LikeLiked by 1 person
February 20, 2018 at 18:42
Amen and amen! And how have you been?
LikeLike
February 21, 2018 at 12:53
Sigh…I’ve been struggling Wally. I had a bit of a mental health setback, what they charmingly used to call a “nervous breakdown”. I’m not a stranger to these, I’ve had three in my lifetime. I hate the way I feel, weak and sad and pathetic – I am ashamed and embarrassed to be in such a state. I tend to “hide” and isolate myself during these periods, that’s why you haven’t seen me around much lately. Thankfully, I’m bouncing back a little quicker than in the past. I’ve survived this before, I know what I need to do to move past this, it’s just that it takes a lot of emotional energy and leave me with little energy to do much else.
This, too, shall pass, I guess….
LikeLike
February 21, 2018 at 12:59
Hi Anita. I’m really sorry to hear this. I can’t really speak to it practically, not having any real personal reference. I can only offer my thoughts and prayers that, since you know what you need to do, that God will give you the ability to do it.
LikeLiked by 1 person