Several years ago a relative of mine received an interesting phone call. It seems that when her father passed away some 30 years before, that He had ownership of a couple of pieces of land out in Texas. Untouched ground, just sitting there. A big ‘ol company wanted to test the soil and see if there was anything of value inside the dirt and because they needed the owners’ permission, a law firm had been hired to track down who was on the deed.
You can imagine the (pleasant) shock when we learned that not only was she the owner of several acres out West, but there were valuable resources there that were going to provide her with a sweet little income for a while.
It was a gift that kept on giving.
This week wrapped up my study from Breathe on Sabbath. Bringing everything we’ve studied the last three weeks into focus, I landed on a few things that will put the period at the end of this month. There is still more to learn, but the way this study was packed has been so helpful.
*Observing Sabbath requires wisdom. We have the knowledge that observing this concept is a command, so what will we do with it? Knowledge is having the information, wisdom is applying the knowledge using sound judgment.
*Observing Sabbath requires humility. Humility is not about thinking less of ourselves, but thinking about ourselves less. It will require us to look to God to take care of our stuff. Hand Him the reigns. Let it go.
*Observing Sabbath is similar to receiving that piece of free land with ongoing benefits. We will benefit from a day of restful reflection as our bodies are designed to cease activity from time to time, and that’s only one of many positive effects it will have on us. Taking intentional time away to reflect on who we used to be versus who we are now (spiritual growth) and recalling all that God has accomplished on our behalf is an act of worship that God not only desires, but demands.
Sabbath was created by God, for God. But because He is a good God, there are a multitude of benefits for His children if we will obey this command. These promises are in His Word and I encourage you to do your own study and read for yourself what this is all about.
I’ll leave you with one passage of scripture that we wrapped up with this week. Remember, God is good and He gives good gifts to His children. Everything He instructs us to do is for His glory and our good.
“If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the Lord’s holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
then you will find your joy in the Lord,
and I will cause you to ride in triumph on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.”
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 58:13-14
If you are just stumbling on this, I wrote about the last three weeks of my study on the blog. Take a read.
Week 1: Becoming the Boss of Busyness
Week 2: Making Intentional Changes to Our Human Tendencies
Week 3: When we Obey, God Will Make a Way
Prayer:
Father, thank you that part of your design from the beginning of creation included this time of Sabbath rest. Thank you for gifting this to us. Help us to remember what you say and keep the Sabbath day holy. It may take some time to rid ourselves of clutter and busyness but we are grateful that you are patient and kind and when we obey You, You always make a way.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Simple Faith 