Entering Into God's Rest.

“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.” Heb. 4:9-10.

A man who was an advocate for Saturday being the Sabbath, got into an argument with a believer about the Sabbath. The man said, "I'll give you $100 if you will show me where the Sabbath day has been changed in the Bible." But the believer answered, "I don't think the Sabbath has changed. Saturday is Saturday, it is the seventh day of the week. The seventh day is still Saturday, and it is still the Sabbath day." His opponent beamed with a broad smile in his face and said, "Then why don't you keep the Sabbath day if it hasn't been changed?" The believer answered, "the DAY hasn't changed, but I have been changed. I've been given a new nature now, a new life in Christ Jesus. I am joined to Christ; I am a part of the new creation. We celebrate the first day because that is the day He rose from the grave." 

Beyond the observance of a Saturday Sabbath, we are now called to walk daily in the spirit of the Sabbath. Its primary purpose is about the way of worship, more than the day of worship. With the Sabbath, we are all called into the lifestyle of rest. Working until you crash is an easy default. When there is a lot to do, it is easy to keep going as long as you have the energy. But I have found that effective Sabbath rest requires paying greater attention to patterns of behavior over the long haul than bursts of energy in the short-term. It can be difficult to free yourself away from being a workaholic, when you still feel like working. Rest goes beyond merely stopping work; it involves physical, emotional, and spiritual renewal. This can include getting sufficient sleep, enjoying unhurried meals, spending time in nature, or engaging in activities that refresh the body, mind and spirit.

Once again, we are not exactly under the Sabbath regulations that old covenant believers were. But the principle of taking one day per week to rest is so wise. I have carved out particular portions of my week for particular kinds of rest. When you don’t have structured times of work and rest, your times of work become less productive, less enjoyable, and accompanied by a nagging feeling of being overworked. Social media speeds up and often clutters our lives. They are great resources but can also be incredibly destructive if we abuse them. You must take Sabbath rest from your phone and computer too. It is a way to de-clutter your mind. I have found that I really need that, and I didn’t know how much I needed it until I started doing it. I wonder if you wouldn't need such too. God bless you.

FURTHER READING:

“Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matt. 11:28-30.

“The work of righteousness will be peace; the service of righteousness will be quiet confidence forever. / Then my people will dwell in a peaceful place, in safe and secure places of rest.” Isa. 32:11-12.

DECLARATION: 

Dear Abba Father, I thank You for the gift of life and the privilege of salvation. Lord, I surrender all my burdens and anxieties to You. Please grant me supernatural rest and peace that goes beyond my understanding. Guard my heart and mind with Your peace, and help me to find refuge in Your presence. Wrap me in Your loving care, like a blanket, and hold me safely as I rest in Your strength. May Your angels surround me, and may Your peace be a shield around me, driving away all fear and doubt. Help me to rest from every storm of life and find complete peace in You, now and forever in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen." 

1 YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN:

John. 1:1-51.

John. 2:1-25.

QUOTE FOR THE DAY:

“True Sabbath Is No More About The Day Of Worship, It More About The Way Of Worship. It Must Be In Spirit And Truth.”