AUG 8

Exodus 20:9-11
Memorise Exodus 23:12
“Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work”

As we focus on this one commandment, the tendency we have is to focus just on how we ought to remember the Sabbath day itself, of its purpose, dos and don’ts, and all the other discussions pertaining to that one day in seven. However, we often overlook the line that comes after in Exodus 20:9, which tells us ‘six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work’. You see, the 4th commandment is not just about the Sabbath day itself, but also teaches us what we ought to do the whole week leading up to the Sabbath.

The only way in which we can effectively keep the Sabbath day, is if we had been observing verse 9 throughout the week. If we had been slacking and doing nothing the whole week, then the rest would not be as precious. If we don’t have a mind set on Christ throughout the week, and constantly seek to glorify Him, there is no way we would suddenly desire to worship Him on a Sunday, and neither would we cherish time spent drawing near to Him. Also, often times the reason why we find ourselves so short on time and having so many things to rush on a Sunday night, is because we had not been using our time well throughout the week. The command tells us clearly, that in 6 days we ought to do all our work, before we can take the much deserved rest on the Sabbath. That is God’s design for us, the pattern of life that we would do well to follow.

So we realize that the Sabbath law is not just about that one day in seven, but it is about the sort of lifestyle and discipline that we have throughout the week. It is about leading a God-centred life that values and cherishes the weekly Sabbath, as a time where we can be spiritually refreshed and draw close to God. Such values would therefore help you to rightly prioritise your time and energy, such that you would have the discipline to finish anything you need to do before the Sabbath, so that we can take our much-deserved rest, and truly have a blessed fellowship with the Lord.

Sabbath keeping is only hard, and feels like a burden to those who care not to walk close to God, and see no value in taking time off to draw close to Him. But if we truly labour throughout the week for the Lord, the Lord’s day will then be a huge delight and blessing to our souls.

Thought: How I spend the week affects how I perceive the Sabbath.
Prayer: Lord, may You grant me the discipline to order my life right, and be able to observe the Sabbath law not just on Sunday, but every day.