‘As His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day.’ Luke 4:16 KJV
We all need time to rest and recharge our ‘batteries’. God took time out: ‘On the seventh day God ended His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day.’ (Genesis 2:2 KJV) Now, the Bible says that God ‘neither slumbers nor sleeps’ (see Psalm 121:4). So if He took a day off in the week, you need one too! Not so long ago most families went to church on Sunday morning, came home and ate lunch together, and spent the afternoon resting and enjoying one another’s company.
But now we huff and puff seven days a week, hurtling down the road towards burnout or even an early death. Scientists say that our bodies are genetically wired to require one day out of every seven for physical, emotional, and spiritual restoration in order to perform at our highest potential.
When Truett Cathy opened his first restaurant in 1946, he established the tradition of closing on Sundays. Back then that was an accepted practice, but now it’s extremely unusual, especially for a restaurant chain with hundreds of outlets. But being a committed Christian he never wavered. And rather than costing him, it paid off as he built one of the most popular and profitable food chains in the USA—Chick-fil-A.
God knows that the fastest way to burn out is to try and burn the candle at both ends. That’s why the Bible says, ‘The seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work.’ (Exodus 20:10 NKJV) Every week you need to observe this directive of God. So consult the Holy Spirit about when to take your Sabbath and then do it!
SoulFood: Job 15–17, Matt 23:23–39, Ps 19, Pr 8:6–7
The Word for Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright ©