Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy (Exodus 20:8).

Sabbath is an important theme in the Scriptures. We neglect it to our peril. I will not advocate that we go back to Old Testament Sabbath keeping, nor to the fierce definitions of what qualified as work and rest that we once engaged in. However, Sabbath rest is essential for Christian spirituality.

Let us recall how Israel was instructed in Sabbath keeping. There was the rhythm of a weekly rest day. It was so essential that while in the wilderness, God provided two portions of food on the sixth day, so that the people did not even need to gather food on the Sabbath. Further, there was the yearly rhythm of the Sabbath year. Every seventh year the whole nation took a break from securing food and profit. God would provide enough in the sixth year for two years.

Finally, there was the year of Jubilee, every fiftieth year. God promised to provide three year’s worth of supplies in the 48th year so that his people could enjoy his rest for 2 full years. Further, in the year of Jubilee debts were cancelled, all land was returned to the original families, and all slaves were set free. Negative market forces, bad financial decisions, natural disasters could all cause ruin on a family. But in the year of Jubilee, all was set right. They could begin over.

God provides. When praying, ‘give us our daily bread’, we are praying a Sabbath prayer. It’s requesting that we do not depend on ourselves but put our trust in the God who provides. He provides for us physically. But there is more.

In Psalm 62, we have this testimony, “Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will never be shaken”. There are things that happen in life that shake us to our very cores. Our souls, themselves, are shaken. All the securities we have put in place for ourselves topple. Where then shall we go?

Sabbath practicing Christians know where to go. They have practiced trusting in God. They understand Psalm 46, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging” (1-3).

When such Christians hear Jesus’ invitation, “Come to me and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28), they know how to go to him because it’s a practice they are familiar with.

There is no time like the present to begin. If you are not a Sabbath person, you might not want to start with a full day. Mark a few hours in your calendar in which you have nothing to accomplish. Rather, simply enjoy God and the good gifts he has given you. And begin praying, “Give us our daily bread.”

Learn to practice Sabbath, so that when the winds blow and the floods rise, you know how to rest in God. He provides.

Go with this blessing:

Go to Jesus and he will give you rest (Matthew 11:30). May the presence of God go with you and give you rest (Exodus 33:14).