AUG 9

Isaiah 58:13-14
Memorise Psalm 92:1
“Day of all the week the best, emblem of eternal rest”

To many Christians, a mention of the Sabbath law brings with it a mix of guilt, reluctance, indignation and possibly even anger. To them, the Sabbath is far from a delight, but a burden and nuisance, where they feel that God and the church places undue restrictions on their personal time. They feel that their real delight and pleasure comes from being free to do what they like, and not be judged by their pastor or people from church.

Dear Teen, what is your perspective towards the Lord’s Day? Do you dread the few hours that you have to sit in church, often falling asleep? Do you find it a ‘waste’ that you cannot study, do your homework and all the things you want to do? Or are you able to sincerely say that you call the Sabbath a delight, and is a day that you earnestly look forward to for the right reasons?

You see, the Sabbath is never meant to be a burden or a kill-joy in the believer’s life. It is always meant to be a delight, if only we have the right focus towards it. Isaiah 58:13-14 shows us that there is a way in which if we truly obey, to rest from our daily secular work, to cease from seeking our own carnal and sinful pleasures, but instead honour Him and delight in Him, the Sabbath can indeed be a delight to us! If we are spiritual beings, then we would find the greatest joy in doing spiritual things, such as worshipping God, reading His Word, and fellowshipping with His people. These are just some of the blessings that we can have on the Lord’s Day. Instead of seeing it as a day where we are limited and constrained, we should delight in the fact that we can freely put aside all our worldly cares, and have a whole day to seek the Lord.

As author Walter Chantry wrote, 
“A heart that loves the Lord will leap for joy at the prospect of a day with Him. Doesn’t a child love to have a day with his father? Of course the worldly will loath giving any time to God. The self-absorbed will regret any day spent in His presence. Without love for God such a requirement will seem narrow and a heavy burden. But for the godly it is a broad road of liberty and joy. There is an entire day each week liberated from my ordinary recreations and labours to serve the lover of my soul and to be with Him.”

Thought: The Sabbath can be a delight! If only I keep it right.
Prayer: Lord, help me to truly delight at the prospect of a day with You, my heavenly Father.