Day 44 Sabbath Rest

 

2/13/2026 

"The generous soul will be rich, 

and he who waters will also be watered himself."

Proverbs 11:25

 

My week has been so hectic, decisions to make, and things to do, but at 6 pm my Sabbath rest begins, and I can settle down, listen to Shabbat in Your Home with Paul Wilbur Ministries and relax. It's a nice family gathering to sing, share the Sabbath meal, and listen to a devotional that encourages and strengthens. It's a wonderful way to relax in preparation of the weekend that follows. At 8 pm it's time with Marty and Jenny Goetz for an hour of worship and sharing. Can you think of a better way to kick start Sabbath and Sunday rest?

I have really needed a little relaxation, because I have been a little upset, because I saw another stray cat, who has visited here before, but now his eyes looked infected. This broke my heart, because he was meowing, but he runs away when approached. Alex seems to be a friend to White, and it was as if Alex was asking me to help his friend. The cat eventually ran away, so I was unable to examine him more closely. I did learn later that there's a neighborhood "cat lady" who traps stray cats and takes them to be neutered or spayed, so I mentioned this problem, as word was that she was coming to try to capture the cat. I pray that she got the cat, and someone will be able to help him. At least I know he's sleeping in a garage, as it has been so cold. I care about little creatures who suffer, and apparently this big guy has not been loved.

Apparently I am not the only one who has a big heart for animals, because I was sent a text about legislation to save pets from being taken from owners or some kind of legislation in the works having to do with regulation of pets. In investigating I discovered that these requests were not quite accurate, but there are concerns. Things are changing here in Virginia so rapidly concerning all of our rights. But the most disturbing fact to me is that more people are concerned about our four-footed friends than about all the unborn babies who are slaughtered daily. I don't know what we're in store for regarding governmental changes or battles, but I do know that my trust and my faith are in Jesus. This will not change, and I pray that as I stand in the gap in prayer and repentance with many others called to do the same, that we will be forgiven, God will hear our prayers, and He will heal our land. But we need all of God's people to wake up and pay attention. More people are interested in what's in it for them than even considering how it will affect others less fortunate or who are alone. God has much to say about taking care of widows and orphans. May we wake up while there is still time.

In 1 Kings 17 God told Elijah the prophet that there would not be any rain because of the evil reign and wickedness of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel in Israel. The LORD spoke to Elijah and told him to go to the Brook Cherith which flowed into the Jordan River, and there ravens would feed him meat and bread in the morning and evening, and he could drink from the brook. Elijah obeyed God, but after awhile the brook dried up, so God told Elijah to go to Zarephath, which belonged to Sidon, where he'd find a widow who would care for him. Elijah found the widow gathering sticks, so she could prepare the last meal for her son and herself, then they would die. This was because of the famine in the land with no rain. Elijah instructed her to prepare the meal, because the LORD God had told Elijah that the bread and oil would remain until He sent rain. So the widow obeyed. Clearly this is an example of sowing seed on good soil that produces 30, 60, and 100 fold return when we are faithful to obey God. Proverbs 11:17 says that "a generous man sows to his own future." Because of the widow's obedience to the Word of the LORD through Elijah, they ate daily, and it did not run out. 

Many people are concerned about inflation and everything that has been happening in our nation, but slowly changes are being made. The problem existed before this administration, and there are many things that need to be straightened out. People listen to wrong voices and are easily swayed, which leads to worry and anxiety, but if we put our trust in God instead of man, He will sustain us. Jesus addressed this very issue in the Sermon on the Mount found in Matthew 6:25-34:

"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."

Believers in Jesus Christ know that God's Word is true, and He watches over it to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12), so we must choose to walk in faith and unity. When we see our neighbor in need, we need to respond in love and kindness, providing for their needs, as we are able. We must also be ready to give the reason of hope within us, and we must share the Good News of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We must be the hands and feet of Jesus. Just as the widow shared, so we are called in obedience to help, and in so doing we will reap a harvest, because we have chosen to honor God. This is the life I want to live, and the hope I want to share. "Cast your bread upon the waters, for after many days you will find it again"  (Ecclesiastes 11:1).