Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Sabbath: Covenant Sign of God’s Completed Work

Bible Reading:      Exodus 31: 12-17

Key verse:  Vs 15

Six days  shall work be done but the seventh day is a sabbath of  solemn rest ,holy to the Lord.

DEVOTION

The above Bible portion refers to God’s covenant with the children of Israel. Sabbath was a sign given by God to Israelites to remind them that they belonged to God. They were sanctified by God, having been sanctified by the Lord, they were to sanctify a day of their week for Him. God reminds us that we are made holy, and we must set apart a day only for Him. 
Covenant
Sabbath reveals who God is and what sanctification is. This covenant is a sign of Israel’s identity which makes them distinct from other nations. Sabbath should be set apart for God to remember God is holy, we are His and he has sanctified us. 
Holy Sabbath
We are urged to celebrate Sabbath as holy. Sabbath is an intentional cessation of work to reserve time for God. The Lord reminds the Israelite’s to observe the day of Sabbath as a day of worship, a day of rest, a day reserved only for almighty God. Sabbath is a day of complete rest where the working man enjoys the creator and the creation of the creator. 
God’s creative mission
 Sabbath is modelled after the ‘creation mission’. It reflects God’s creative power and completion of His work. God created the heavens and the earth and everything in it for six days and rested on the seventh day. Sabbath is a good reminder of God’s completed creative work. 
Serious Implications of profaning Sabbath
Sabbath was a covenant given to Israelites to be observed throughout the generations. Profaning Sabbath meant being rebellious to God. God re-instated that those who do not observe Sabbath should be put to death.  

 

PRAYER

Thank you, Lord, for your words given to us. Help us to reserve our Sabbaths holy for you. Help us to be still, count all your blessings and reflect upon your goodness. Help us to find rest in you. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

How is our personal covenant with God? Are we setting apart time only for Him? Are we passing on the values given by God to our generations? Let us work on strengthening our personal commitment with God, let us find rest and reserve time for Him. Let us start our new year with new commitments and purposes. May the good God bless us all. 

Princey Thomas
Immanuel Marthoma Church, Houston

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