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We read in Genesis [Genesis 1 & 2]*, that after God finished creating the world, He pronounced it ‘good’; He blessed it (empowered it to flourish), then He ‘rested’, (‘shabbat’ in Hebrew), which means to cease. Having concluded His work, God then set the next period (the seventh day) apart, and set things in motion for everything to prosper.
These were the circumstances in which Adam and Eve, the last work of creation, spent their first day. The picture here is important. Before they started their appointed task of stewarding creation, they rested in the finished work—in the amazing provision of God. |
We can imagine them exploring their new surroundings with great excitement; delighting in the beauty, tasting new and wonderful foods, and enjoying each other and the presence of the Lord. Everything they could possibly need was provided for them; their job was to explore it, enjoy it—and develop it. I think they would have needed to ask a lot of questions: ‘What do we do next…? How do we…? Where do we find…? What happens if…?’
The seventh day ‘Sabbath’ (derived from the word’ shabbat’) for Adam and Eve was not the collapse of exhaustion after a demanding week, but time out to savour what had already been given and prepare mentally and physically for the period ahead.
The seventh day ‘Sabbath’ (derived from the word’ shabbat’) for Adam and Eve was not the collapse of exhaustion after a demanding week, but time out to savour what had already been given and prepare mentally and physically for the period ahead.
SABBATH REST: TAKING TIME OFF
Later on, the principle of Sabbath was enshrined in the Law [Exodus 20: 8-11]. It was to be a test of faith. To take a whole day out to rest was a radical idea in an ancient society—and everyone was to stop work, not just the wealthy, but even foreign visitors, servants and animals. In order to obey this command, people had to believe that there would be enough… enough remaining time to do all that needed doing… enough harvest for their needs… They had to believe that the Lord would be faithful to His promises.
These pictures of Sabbath rest prefigured the rest in God’s provision which would come through Christ. Just before Jesus died on the cross, He cried out ‘It is finished!’, then we read that He bowed His head (literally, rested in the Greek, a deliberate act, not a helpless drooping), and ‘gave up His spirit’ [John 19:30]. His assignment to defeat Satan was completed; He had vanquished the enemy, disempowering the Powers of Darkness, and unleashed His Kingdom in the earth. REGULAR SABBATH-TIME
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Modern Christian interpretations of ‘Sabbath rest’ can take a variety of forms, but usually include taking time off from the everyday stuff of life, and spending focused time with the Lord, often, but not always, in the company of others. Frequently Sunday is equated with Sabbath, despite the fact that for many, Sundays are often the busiest days of the week, and the whole point of Sabbath-ceasing is lost.
Unfortunately, well-meaning Christians can be insistent—not only about a perceived requirement to keep a Sabbath-day, but how we are to do it. In fact Paul is quite clear on this:
Unfortunately, well-meaning Christians can be insistent—not only about a perceived requirement to keep a Sabbath-day, but how we are to do it. In fact Paul is quite clear on this:
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival,
a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
These are a shadow of the things to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
[Colossians 2: 16,17]
a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day.
These are a shadow of the things to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.
[Colossians 2: 16,17]
Regrettably, our understanding of Sabbath-rest has been laced with the idea that it is something we must do in order to get God’s favour and blessing, rather than something which flows out of what we already have received.
SABBATH REST IS A FAITH ISSUE
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Modern science agrees that regular rest-periods from our work-a-day lives are essential for our well-being; and particularly necessary in our fast-paced, demanding world, in order to refresh, recalibrate, and re-focus.
The only problem is, many of us struggle to take time out because…there is too much to do…we haven’t finished the required tasks… we can’t afford to stop… our workplace is making too many demands… Taking ‘Sabbath time’ out of our busy routines is an act of faith; faith that we will have enough time to complete our ‘to do’ lists; faith that if we put down our projects for a moment it will be ok. Time is a resource—like money—and a gift from the Lord. We need to grow in faith that as we give our time to Him, He will provide what we need. And as we learn to live in the good of the finished work of the Cross, and by receiving His ongoing provision—for our past, present and future—then physical rest is so much easier, a natural outworking of the Spirit’s life in us. But we have to come to an end of ourselves to enter in. Jesus has done it all; like Adam and Eve, we cannot earn it, we do not deserve it, we just need to receive and enjoy it! |
There is a special rest still waiting for the people of God.
For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labours,
just as God did after creating the world.
[Hebrews 4: 9,10]
For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labours,
just as God did after creating the world.
[Hebrews 4: 9,10]
If we know that the Lord is our Provider, then we can learn to rest regularly, a rest which flows naturally from our life in the Spirit, rather than being imposed from outside.
Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields him all day long,
and the one the Lord loves rests
between His shoulders.
[Deuteronomy 33:12]
and the one the Lord loves rests
between His shoulders.
[Deuteronomy 33:12]
SABBATH REST IS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP
Like Adam and Eve were called to be custodians of the Garden, we have been given many blessings, which we also need to steward well.
We are the recipients of a great inheritance detailed in the FOUNDATIONS FOR BIBLICAL REST section, which continues to grow, as we walk with the Lord. Our bodies, souls and spirits need time out to recharge, recalibrate and realign with Him so that we maintain what we have already been given, and position ourselves to receive more. The time we take to do this will vary from person to person according to our particular needs and circumstances.
We are the recipients of a great inheritance detailed in the FOUNDATIONS FOR BIBLICAL REST section, which continues to grow, as we walk with the Lord. Our bodies, souls and spirits need time out to recharge, recalibrate and realign with Him so that we maintain what we have already been given, and position ourselves to receive more. The time we take to do this will vary from person to person according to our particular needs and circumstances.
SABBATH REST IS ABOUT WORSHIP
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As we have seen, Sabbath is directly related to provision. The more aware we become of the Lord’s amazing grace towards us, the more we will want to stop and worship Him. Each time we do this, we are taking a ‘Sabbath Moment’—and we can find that our days develop a sacred rhythm. In these moments, when we stop to focus on the Lord, there is an inter-connection between earth and heaven, time and eternity. These Sabbath moments become ‘sanctified’—set apart—a gateway for the things of Heaven to be released on earth…
For more thoughts on worship, and other aspects of personal devotion, see SPIRIT-LED ENCOUNTERS: THE RHYTHM OF DEVOTION. |
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Sabbath hours, moments and days can be sprinkled liberally throughout our weeks and months. They do not need to be limited to Sundays, nor to formal Christian gatherings or church services.
SABBATH REST IS ABOUT PROPHETIC DECLARATION
We are citizens of two realms: Earth and Heaven [Ephesians 1:3]. And as Christians, we have a mandate to see the reality of the Kingdom of Grace and Love released in time and space. One of the ways we do this, is by the declaration of God’s Truth [see CREATING NEW MINDSETS], through words and/or actions before the spiritual powers in the heavenly realms. This creates a ‘gateway’ for that truth to be fulfilled on earth. For example, water baptism is the declaration of our faith in, and identification with, Jesus’ death and resurrection; and releases in us the power of the new (heavenly) life He has purchased for us. [See THE GRACE OF BAPTISM.]
In the same way, Sabbath time declares our faith, before Heaven, that we have been set free from toil, and are able to cease from our labours—because we trust in the Lord as Provider for all our needs. A physical Sabbath is a time-and-space declaration that we have received God’s gift of rest.
The Gospel accounts show that the Sabbath day was the occasion for many of Jesus’ miracles—God the Father having separated this time and blessed it as special (see above). Let’s develop an expectation for the same…
In the same way, Sabbath time declares our faith, before Heaven, that we have been set free from toil, and are able to cease from our labours—because we trust in the Lord as Provider for all our needs. A physical Sabbath is a time-and-space declaration that we have received God’s gift of rest.
The Gospel accounts show that the Sabbath day was the occasion for many of Jesus’ miracles—God the Father having separated this time and blessed it as special (see above). Let’s develop an expectation for the same…
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
Sabbath hours, moments and days can be sprinkled liberally throughout our weeks and months. They do not need to be limited to Sundays, nor to formal Christian gatherings or church services. www.rhythmsofgrace/spirit-led-refreshment/rhythm-of-sabbath Click to Tweet |
In the past, busy with aspects of Church leadership, Sunday was usually the least restful period of the week for my husband and me—as it is for many of you. So we had to set aside alternative rest-periods, which changed according to our needs. We needed to think outside the box…
Over the years our ‘Sabbath time’ has included…
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Jesus encouraged His disciples to ‘Come with Me… to a quiet place and get some rest.’ [Mark 6:31];
He invites us to do the same.
He invites us to do the same.
*RHYTHMS OF GRACE:
GET IN THE FLOW of His Spirit
What is stopping you from taking time out to rest physically? Take these barriers to the Lord, and listen to what He has to say…
Ask the Holy Spirit to inspire you with Sabbath ideas tailor-made for you. Remember He wants it to flow from inside-out.
*For more information on how the term ‘rhythms of grace’ is used on this website, please see the INTRODUCTION TO RHYTHMS OF GRACE: A JOURNEY INTO REST AND PEACE.
What is stopping you from taking time out to rest physically? Take these barriers to the Lord, and listen to what He has to say…
Ask the Holy Spirit to inspire you with Sabbath ideas tailor-made for you. Remember He wants it to flow from inside-out.
*For more information on how the term ‘rhythms of grace’ is used on this website, please see the INTRODUCTION TO RHYTHMS OF GRACE: A JOURNEY INTO REST AND PEACE.
THE RHYTHM OF FESTIVAL
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Click on the picture for the next page in this section:
SPIRIT-LED CELEBRATION: THE RHYTHM OF FESTIVAL |
WHY NOT SHARE SOME OF YOUR SABBATH MOMENTS...
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RHYTHMS OF GRACE: A JOURNEY INTO REST
[Photo credits: Aaron Burden (bench); Anna Dziubinska (crowded scene); Pedro Ramos (doorway); Geetanjal Khanna (hand); Artem Kovalev (girl looking out to sea) @ Unsplash, with thanks]