“There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.” Hebrews 4:9-10

Sabbath is a special gift from God to His people. Like the Sabbath, which is a holy day, a day set apart from all the others, we also are also holy- a people ‘set apart’ by God Himself. This is not by works but through our faith in Jesus. It is because of this precious gift from God that we get to enjoy His rest, to echo His actions by retreating from work into a special place of restoration. Sabbath is a blessing, a celebration of who God is and who we are in Christ.

Ponder:
What would it look like to incorporate a sense of celebration and joy into your Sabbath rest this week? How does the idea of Sabbath as a celebration compare with your experience of Sabbath in the past? Let this be an opportunity to renew your mind and press into God’s design for rest.

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, I admit that sometimes the idea of Sabbath feels like another task I have to do. It feels difficult to lay down my routine and submit my time when I already feel like I have too little to get everything done. But that’s not what You intended for Sabbath to be. Help me to see Sabbath through Your eyes. Help me to see the gift of rest, the joy of celebration, and the peace You have made available to me through Your love. I want to rest, not just from work but in Your presence. Change my heart toward Sabbath, Lord, so that it is as much a joy to me as it is to You. Teach me your ways, Lord. In Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.