My sermon yesterday over at Faith Bible Church dealt with a biblical perspective on Rest, particularly centering on some of the Sabbath Scriptures, a quick review of the Old Testament Feasts, and several references in Psalms, Proverbs and elsewhere where we are given specific proscriptions for effectively experiencing Sabbath rest. And not just one day a week either but throughout the year...even throughout our day.It seemed to strike a chord. After all, despite all of the limitations on work in the modern era (40-hour week, 5-day work week, OSHA protections, the predominance of white collar jobs, paid vacations and personal leave days, not to mention the whole host of labor-saving devices we possess on the job and in our homes), Americans are more fatigued and frazzled, more dissatisfied and distressed, more run down and rest-less than our forefathers who didn't enjoy these limitations at all.
We are missing the Sabbath rest.
Yes, we are certainly well entertained. We have luxuries. We have leisure. But we're not experiencing rest for our souls, the kind of deep, lasting and spiritual rest that comes only from setting aside time especially for God.
Vegging out in front of the TV may seem relaxing...but it doesn't rejuvenate. Hearty partying may be diverting and fun...but it doesn't renew one's spirit. Even the various elements associated with church and Christian activities aren't sufficient to achieve Sabbath rest.
For that we need time to purposefully delight ourselves in God, to meditate on His Word, to evaluate our lives and our work, to interact with God in meaningful prayer, to review our priorities, to enjoy the beauty of His creation, to rededicate ourselves to His purposes, to worship Him with all that we are...and to share with our families these crucial pursuits.
It is an ongoing duty and it can be a tough one, especially when we are so used to letting our Sabbath rest get buried by business or entertainment or the various noises that surround us. But the reward is well worth the effort to shake things up. For Sabbath rest truly provides just the kind of liberation, perspective, renewal, joy...and rest...that we all so desperately need.
Accept no substitutes.
