I was just reading the book of Luke and thinking about the words of Jesus about the Sabbath. How interesting that God took the seventh day to rest, and that day is called a Sabbath. Did God need a Sabbath, even more did He need to ‘rest’?
My little dictionary says rest means to sleep (I don’t think God sleeps.); Freedom from activity; and Peace of mind or spirit (I am sure that God is always active and He is the essence of peace for mind or spirit.
A few months ago I heard a different defination of rest that I just love. I wish I could remember where I heard it so I could thank that person, because it has opened up a whole new understanding that has blessed my life. Rest means ‘having ample provision’.
So when God rested on the seventh day He had ample provision for all that He had created. Ample provision for man, and all creatures in and on the earth. That is why He could look at it and say it was very good. Well, if God says it is good, it is good!
When I realized what that means for me, I was and am excited. If I intend to rest in God, to rest on the Sabbath, to rest at night, I must believe He has ample provision for me. When all the cares, worry and threats of the world, and sometimes sickness and physical pain come on me, to rest in God I must believe He has ample provision. Ample provision to see me through a situation or deliver me out of it; that is the heart of God for His children.
There is a scripture in Isaiah that says “I am in perfect peace when my mind is stayed on Thee”. If my mind is on God and I believe He has ample provision for me, I will have perfect peace.
Jesus said the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. A day to think about God, to thank Him, to take notice of all of His ‘ample provision’. To rest from our normal activities and enjoy what He has for us.
I know there are people in the world who feel very far from having ample provision for their situation. Even though God has provided ample provision we are not always able to appropriate it. Many of God’s blessings are received in eternity, and that gives us hope to hang on, trust and believe, one way or another there is ample provision for everyone who knows the Lord of Glory, Jesus. And, how about the Lord of fun and Joy? That’s Jesus too!
Some places in the world the devil has so deceived the nations that they are full of violence, evil, hunger, sickness and death. They have followed false gods and their people pay the price for that deception. But, in the worst of situations Jesus will come and be with those who believe to give hope and comfort through the Holy Spirit. Over and over provision comes where there was no provision.
Here in America there can be, (I said can be) legalism abut the Sabbath that robs the joy God wants us to have. Sharing in church should be joyful, not tedious. Enjoying the beach, the mountains, the park, a physical activity or sport should all be enjoyed with Jesus. We can enjoy just being free of the concerns of the week, free from the bondage of work, trusting in His ample provision for the week to come.
Sometimes my Sabbath is on Monday or Wednesday or any day I take a few hours or the whole day to enjoy relationship with the Lord, along with His provisions. In San Diego I loved to go down by the bay, talk to the Lord about the ocean in front of me, the beautiful boats, the people walking or running by, walk through the grass and just let gratitude flow all over me for His Provision. In Redding, I like to go to the prayer chapel, listen to the praise music in the back ground and enjoy the beauty all around me of snow caped mountains, trees and beauty. In Denver, I used to prayer walk my neighborhood just thanking God for the people and again, for His provision. Those are Sabbaths where I do not take my cares, or the cares of others, but just spend time ‘being’ with Him.
My hope (passionate expectation) and prayer is that others will find that special place to have their own special ‘Sabboths’ with their Heavenly Father. Then we can face the tomorrows with faith for ample provision and rest.