Sabbath Talk

 Are non-Sabbath-observing people willing to discuss the Sabbaths? On most cases, I find they are not - I mean, I'm not...

It doesn't take much intellect to read Ezekiel 20 and deduce that God definitely has a thing for the Sabbaths. Was that thing about the Sabbaths just relative to Israel?

I think we should all reconsider what we believe about the Sabbaths (yes, plural as in Ezekiel's text). 

Does that mean we should hold all church services on Saturday going forward? Maybe, maybe not.

Actually church services were not what the Sabbaths were about. First, the seventh day was reserved for rest. Really, today, nothing about a church service suggests anything even remotely associated with rest - just ask any pastor or church leader. And hey, the routine most families go through just to get to weekly church meetings (held on Saturday or Sunday) doesn't signal anything about rest either.

Next, I believe the Jewish holidays are referred to as Sabbaths as well. Hmm, that brings up some interesting consideration, doesn't it? So, it's not just about a weekly observance, but occasionally some holiday times too?

We must not get lost in a day. We must remember that our Creator set aside a day and rested. It's not about the observance, it's about the rest. 

I think of one word when I think of the Sabbath and its rest: "enough." God had done "enough" in six days and so He rested on the seventh. Regardless of what we think, we should understand that no matter how much more effort we feel compelled to expend, there is a point when we need to say, "enough" and rest because our Father God said, "enough" and rested. It's about showing ourselves and all who see us that we belong to, and therefore live by, a Higher Power. It doesn't matter what anyone thinks about it - it's just like a "tag" on our lives that we are God's.

So, is there a Sabbath in our lives? Saturday? Sunday? MONDAY?

Father, help me to get it concerning Your Sabbaths. I want to be right with You - forgive me for becoming so busy that I forget to rest...