Day 325 Resting

 

11/21/2025

"It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel for ever;

for in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, and on

the seventh day He rested and was refreshed."

Exodus 31:17

 

My favorite time of the week is on Friday afternoon as I eagerly await sunset and the beginning of my day of rest! Promptly at six o'clock I sit down for Shabbat in our Home services and a time of quiet reflection and worship with my online family and friends. This time with the Wilbur family, followed by time with Marty and Jennie Goetz, jump-starts my Saturday morning worship with friends at Jacob's Tent and a day of rest and relaxation as we worship, dance, and study the scriptures. Now that may not be the highlight of your week, but it is definitely something I look forward to doing each week. Plus, I get to do it all over again on Sunday in the local church! No shopping, no grocery store, no yard or house work, no paying bills or figuring how to fix the roof or paint the kitchen - no such worries or concerns allowed. It's time to rest and be refreshed in the presence of the LORD! 

In Jerusalem everything closes down on Friday afternoon in anticipation of the Sabbath. Businesses close early while women are working at home busily preparing the Sabbath meal, because even the stoves are not turned on once Sabbath begins. Electronic devices are put aside, and not even sports events on television are allowed in Jerusalem for the devout worshiper. For the most part entire areas of the city shut down, except for secular businesses that cater to tourists or other citizens who may not observe Shabbat. I think the blue laws in America imposed when I was growing up may have had greater restrictions on Sundays, but they no longer exist to my knowledge. It's a shame, as I think it would do a world of good for all cities to shut down on Saturday and Sunday. It certainly would be different, and quite possibly, bring a new revelation of what is truly important.

When God created the world I doubt that He needed to rest as we understand the word rest. He's God, and according to His Word, He neither slumbers nor sleeps (Psalm 121:4). He watches over us, so we can get the rest and relaxation we need to continue the work He has for us to do here on earth during the other six days. All through the Bible we are told not to work late, because it accomplishes very little except adds stress and worry. 

 "It is in vain for you to rise early, to retire late, to eat the bread of anxious toil; for He gives to His beloved sleep." (Psalm 127:2)

He tells us not to worry but to trust Him. 

"Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." (Matthew 6:25-34)

I must follow Jesus' words to the letter, as I am still wearing clothes I sewed together myself over forty years ago. Who says that things don't last! Rayon is good stuff! I did have to replace the elastic in one or two, as it loses its elasticity, much like our older sagging flesh. But yet, it just proves an important truth, that is if we take care of the things God has given us, even our health, then it endures, not forever, but it serves us well.  

God also instructs us in the Proverbs to think less about we want or what someone else says and learn to depend on His wisdom and discernment. His wisdom is greater, and it can mean the difference between life and death.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh, and strength to your bones." (Proverbs 3:5-8)

"My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will never be shaken." (Psalm 61:1-2)

By taking advantage of all that God has provided, following His command to honor the Sabbath day and keep it holy, finding rest and relaxation from the worries of this crazy, mixed-up, and chaotic world of good versus evil, will allow us to relax and reconstruct as opposed to deconstruct. I think my son uses the word "implode" to explain how the work world does a number on his head. He would do well to follow God's plan and learn to "let it go!"

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in (wait on) the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:28-31)