Continuing the theme from yesterday, what is Sunday in your life? God commands that the Sabbath is to be holy (Separate) and a day of rest. Some think that means sleeping late, fishing, watching TV (NASCAR), cleaning the house, paying bills, or taking a nap. In other words, it is a “catch up day” before starting another week. I would like to suggest the Sabbath is intended to be something different.
The Sabbath is a day of rest… rest in Christ.
Lev 23:3 Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work. It is a Sabbath to the Lord in all your dwelling places.
Heb 4:9 There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from His. 11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.
A Sabbath “To the Lord” doesn’t mean NASCAR is the main focus of the day… God is. The Sabbath is a day to rest and dedicate significant time to focus wholly, completely, and totally on God. This is in addition to Sunday School and corporate worship. Here’s what that means…
Suggestion 1: Reflect on the message by re-reading the passage… looking over your notes… contemplating God’s truth… examining your life in light of God’s Word.
Suggestion 2: Spend time in prayer. Listen to God prayerfully as you re-read the text. Ask God for a fresh filling of His Spirit. Pray specifically for yourself, family, church, friends, and nation.
Suggestion 3: Invest some time in ministry, encouragement, and/or evangelism. Make a visit to the hospital. Call some friends to encourage them. Visit a nursing home or some widows.
Suggestion 4: (Important) Enjoy God! How? Take a walk in creation, observing His hand around you. Listen to some of your favorite hymns for personal worship time. Pray praises and thanksgiving to God for all His many blessings. Find new ways each Sunday to be in awe of the God who has saved you.
Last… build into the coming week ways to glorify God as a result of your day spent resting in Him on the Sabbath.