“The Lord then gave these instructions to Moses: 13 “Tell the people of Israel: ‘Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy. 14 You must keep the Sabbath day, for it is a holy day for you. Anyone who desecrates it must be put to death; anyone who works on that day will be cut off from the community. 15 You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day must be a Sabbath day of complete rest, a holy day dedicated to the Lord. Anyone who works on the Sabbath must be put to death. 16 The people of Israel must keep the Sabbath day by observing it from generation to generation. This is a covenant obligation for all time. 17 It is a permanent sign of my covenant with the people of Israel. For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day he stopped working and was refreshed.’ 18 When the Lord finished speaking with Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, written by the finger of God.” Exodus 31:12-18 NLT
Lord of Creation,
The Sabbath, the day of rest from our weekly toil. Does it remind us that You, God created for six days and then rested for one? Does it remind us that You created all we see for our benefit? Does it remind us that we are no longer in a weedless, perfect garden because we just cannot resist temptation to sin. Or is it a day of rushing to get to church in the morning, washed, dressed smart and breakfasted? A day we have to cook a Sunday lunch as tradition or take the in-laws out for a meal. Or visit elderly relatives who need help. Sometimes Sunday is not a rest day – but we still need one even if it is midweek. Some people have to work.
Jesus spent a Sabbath with his disciples wandering through a field of corn and nibbling on the grains. Christian mindfulness? He silenced those who said that eating a grain of wheat on the Sabbath was breaking the law. He was the law personified and was using the Sabbath to give them rest and restoration on a relaxing walk with him (Matthew 12:1,2,8). Perhaps our Sabbath needs to contain time when we allow You, Holy Spirit to just be with us in an unstressful place. Not trying to worship, not trying to digesting large chunks of Bible, trying to keep everyone happy . . . resting in the way that is bests for us. And maybe our Sabbath needs to be on a Wednesday or another day?
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Wednesday 19th February 2025
Be still, my soul, the Lord is on thy side
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain
Leave to thy God to order and provide
In every change He faithful will remain
Be still, my soul, thy best, thy heavenly friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end
Be still, my soul, thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake
All now mysterious shall be bright at last
Be still, my soul, the waves, and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below
In you, I rest, in You, I found my hope
In you, I trust, You never let me go
I place my life within Your hands alone
Be still, my soul
Be still, my soul, the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord
When disappointed, grief, and fear are gone
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored
Be still, my soul, when change and tears are past
All safe and blessed, we shall meet at last
In you, I rest, in You, I found my hope
In you, I trust, You never let me go
I place my life within Your hands alone
Be still, my soul
Be still, my soul
Be still, my soul
Lyrics: Katharina von Schlegel, 1697
Updated with chorus: Jason David Ingram / Kari Brooke Jobe 2013