Day 6 – God is Restful

Exodus 20:8–11 “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God.” KJV

For Israel:

As slaves in Egypt, the Israelites had no time to rest. Over 400 years of slavery in Egypt separated them from their true God, and they were forced to worship Egypt’s gods. However, God’s commandment to rest on the Sabbath was for the benefit of His people. This commandment is part of our relationship with God. “Rest” is not a new concept, as God rested on the seventh day of creation, declaring it holy. Therefore, we know that rest is an important aspect of trusting in God’s provision. This commandment was not exclusive to any group; women, slaves, and strangers were all included. It is fitting that God gave the Israelites a day to rest, acknowledging that rest is a crucial aspect of freedom from slavery. By commanding the Israelites to “remember the Sabbath,” God desired for them to rest and spend time getting to know Him through worship and praise.

For today:

God is considered to be all-powerful, and in Genesis 2:2, it is mentioned that God rested. However, it seems unusual that an all-powerful being would need to rest. If we take a closer look at the verse, we will understand that God did not rest because He was tired or needed to, but rather He “stopped creating” and declared His creation good. As Christians, we often debate about which day is the Sabbath, whether it is Saturday or Sunday. However, rest should be an everyday thing where we spend time in the Lord’s presence, worshipping and praying. Therefore, if we love God, we should take time to rest in His word and spend time with Him in prayer and worship.

Prayer: Lord, help us to rest in Your word and Your presence. Your word keeps this world together and only You can give us rest beyond understanding. Psalm 33:9 declares, “For He spoke, and it came to be, He commanded, and it stood firm”. Lord, thank you for saving us from ourselves and that I can rest at Your feet. Amen. (Scripture to pray Exodus 31:16)

By Marie Swanepoel for www.womenoftheword.co.za