Most Holy One, You spoke to Moses and told him, “You must observe the Sabbath. It will be a sign between Me and you for generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.” I observe the Sabbath because I choose to set aside a day to honor You. Anyone who does not celebrate Your day sins against You. Whoever works on the Sabbath will have to face Your displeasure. Six days have been set aside to toil for a living, but the seventh day is a special day of rest and to honor You. The Sabbath is a day set aside to focus on my relationship with You and how I might fulfill Your goal for my life. It is a copy of the creation story where You made the Heavens and Earth and all that is in them over six days and then set aside the seventh day as one of rest and reflection. On this day, I am to set aside time to give You honor and seek Your purpose and direction in life.
The Sabbath was instituted for two purposes. It is a time of rest and a time to remember all that You have done for me. When I came into this world, I was given this pattern to properly allocate my time between work and rest. In Your great wisdom, You knew it was important for me to stop from the rigors of my busy life and rest. If I follow the pattern You gave me, I will experience prosperity and balance in my life. Without time away from the challenges in my life, I lose its true meaning. Without a day dedicated to focus on You, I forget the “real” purpose of my activities and I lose the balance I need to have a productive life. I should not omit the Sabbath from my life because it provides me with a time of refreshing and renewal. On my day of rest my mind clears, and things come into focus. In setting aside time with You, I find hope and direction.
In honoring the Sabbath, I am not only being obedient to Your will, but I am freely choosing to honor the loving and compassionate God to whom I have given my life. The Sabbath is more than just a ceremonial day to honor You … it is a connection with You as my God and Savior. This holy day draws me into a closer relationship with You, calls me to the Scriptures, and allows me to make a personal sacrifice of my time. The Sabbath service is led by a Pastor/Priest, but it’s true purpose is to draw me closer to You in concert with my brothers and sisters. We sing in harmony; we pray in harmony; and we exalt Your Holy Name in harmony. I see the Sabbath celebration as a futuristic picture of eternity with You in Heaven alongside others who have also chosen to give their lives to You. The Sabbath is a day I should want to share with You. And it’s in Jesus’ name I pray. AMEN!!
Exodus 31:12 You must observe my Sabbath. It will be a sign between Me and you for generations to come, so you may know I am the Lord, who makes you holy.