Remember The Sabbath

Quick question - How do you spend your time on Sunday?

Is it church, dinner out, sports on television, some yard work, supper and then to bed? Do you have the same routine every Sunday just because it's the one day you don't go to work?

This is a touchy subject for some people, but the Bible is incredibly clear about what is and is not supposed to happen on the Lord's Sabbath.

But the seventh day is the sabbath of the LORD thy God: in it thou shall not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it. Exodus 20:10-11

Ultimately, the command is to spend a day, the Sabbath day, doing nothing but resting and worshipping the Lord. As times have changed and people drift away from church services and a day of relaxation, Sunday activities have taken over our time.

There can be all kinds of discussion about what work really is and what's appropriate and not appropriate on Sunday, our Sabbath. For example, Danny has a service job as a funeral director. Every other Sunday he has to go to work and serve the families that have immediate funeral needs. The same goes for hospital workers, emergency team members and law enforcement. I don't think anyone could argue that there are certain jobs that we need seven days a week.

However, working for the sake of earning a little more money is completely against God's command. The Lord will provide financial security to those who follow and obey Him, and that includes resting on the Sabbath. Would you agree that devotion is rewarded more than personal effort?

So, should you go out to eat or go shopping on Sunday? That may be personal preference, but we have chosen not to. We don't want to "enable" other people to have to work on Sunday. We prepare meals ahead of time so we can eat when we get home from church. We plan on doing our shopping over the rest of the weekend so we don't have to be out and about on Sunday afternoon.

Our rest and relaxation also includes napping, movie watching and time for just the two of us. If you have a bigger family then this may include everyone who's attended dinner, which adds several opinions to the mix. Then you have to decide to what extent you'll take this choice.

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Exodus 20:8

Whatever you choose for rest and relaxation on Sunday should be honoring unto God, not just easily justified or excused by mankind. In the end, we answer to a holy and living God Who knows our motivations and will bless us for following His commandments.

So, are you ready for your Sunday afternoon nap?

Comments

  1. JennyFebruary 21, 2010 at 10:38 PM

    Ahhhh .... time was, I never went without a two-hour nap after Sunday dinner. That was when the kids were all at home. I find the older I get, the more difficult it is to "recover" from a real nap! A catnap in the recliner is definitely in order, though, when I have time.

    Today after lunch, Erica and I enjoyed an impromptu pot of coffee and some quality time with little Javier, sitting with him between us on a loveseat in the sunroom! He was loving the beautiful weather and TWO people to pet and rub his little head and body!

    We do enjoy going out to eat from time to time on Sunday afternoon ... and have found that, amazingly, it is much easier to witness to a waiter or waitress on Sunday! Had a wonderful conversation with a dear girl at Cracker Barrel in Charleston a few weeks ago. She was so willing to talk about the Lord and about her need.

    There's just something special in the air on Sunday! There is no other day of the week quite like it.

    And of course for me, one of its most special blessings is seeing YOU! Hope this finds you feeling better.

    ReplyDelete

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