So I confronted the nobles of Judah. “Why are you profaning the Sabbath in this evil way?” I asked. “Wasn’t it just this sort of thing that your ancestors did that caused our God to bring all this trouble upon us and our city? Now you are bringing even more wrath upon Israel by permitting the Sabbath to be desecrated in this way!” [Nehemiah 13.17-18]
It's just a day, right? Wrong.
The Sabbath is much more than just a normal day. The Sabbath represents an important principle of faith for God's people.
To rest is an act of faith. Especially when there is so much to be done! Much of our Christian culture today does not understand this, and tends to think it was easy to observe a Sabbath when they basically did not have jobs back then. But anyone who has ever been around a farm understands differently!
It requires a commitment to abstain from work for a day. Whether in a rural farming environment or urban business environment, the requirement for rest is the same. It will require faith.
It is amazing that we need rest but find it so difficult to take it! Perhaps if we share this sentiment, then we will better understand the faith element required to rest!
The Sabbath provides a very basic opportunity to exercise faith - perhaps the basest. It is not ironic that rest is at the very base of faith!
Whatsoever is not of faith is sin... so, if we fail to rest, we are sinning!
Father, help me to consider the importance of observing "rest" as an act of faith. And, help me to observe rest as a matter of obedience to You!
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