Leviticus 16:31 It is a Sabbath of solemn rest to you, and you shall afflict yourselves; it is a statute forever.
Have you ever thought of the command to honor the Sabbath as an affliction? This verse from Leviticus calls it just that. Webster’s defines affliction as “to inflict on a person something that is hard to bear”. It IS hard to resist the temptation to work, isn’t it? We live in a world full of expectations and distractions. Giving up a day to cross things off our to-do list can seem quite burdensome. Burdensome as it may seem, we are told, actually commanded, to do this, as God did.
God used the Sabbath to look upon His creation and see that it was very good and to take a break from His week of work. God knows how rewarding it can be for us to take a break from our busy schedules and spend time with Him. Remember, God is a loving Father. He doesn’t give us commands that will hurt us, but commands that are for our own good.
So, what would it mean for you to take one day off? Would the world come crumbling down on you? Trust me, I understand the overwhelming stresses of time management. But God wants us to be good stewards of our time.
Ephesians 5:15-16 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.
So, if we are good stewards of our time on the six days we have to accomplish what we need to, we can and will honor God on the 7th day. I mean, after all, God created us and all we see in six days. Surely our to-do lists aren’t that big!
What is my favorite way to spend the Sabbath? To be out among His creation, basking in His glory and praising Him for His mighty works!
This verse also refers to the Sabbath as a day of “solemn” rest to you. Solemn, also defined by Webster’s, means sincere, dignified, and awe-inspiring. Perfect. What a perfect description of what this day should be. I am always inspired when I look out on all He has given us; the true beauty of it all. The simplest things, such as the life cycle of a butterfly, the way all of creation knows how to change from season to season and how readily they prepare for it. It is all so meticulously designed, down to the last detail. And that is the God I know. And I am blessed to be able to spend dedicated time meditating on His wonder and all we have because of Him.
This statute is not a burden; it is a gift. A beautiful gift from our loving Father. I pray that you would honor that, and Him, today. Be blessed, friends!
Stephanie Lynn
