DAY 133 - BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE EXODUS

ON THE SIXTH DAY, WHEN THEY PREPARE WHAT THEY BRING IN, IT WILL BE TWICE AS MUCH AS THEY GATHER DAILY.

Exodus 16: 3

Reading: Exodus 16:22-26; 23:10-13; Exodus 35:1-3; Mark 2:23-27

Rest. One of the greatest of all God’s provisions. While revealing Himself as provider, by providing bread and quail for His people, God also starts to reveal the principle of the Sabbath rest.

A day of rest is a witness to the world. For a people who had been slaves for generations and for whom the provision of basic necessities was a daily struggle, to not have to work on one day because God was looking after them was a bold sign.

Collecting enough for the day, and not hoarding, was a gesture of trust in God’s faithfulness. God provided for today and will provide for tomorrow. Collecting double on one day for the Sabbath was again a sign of trust and faith.

Jesus tells us that the Sabbath was created for man and not man for the Sabbath, meaning, a day of rest is not a legalistic thing we do to prove a point. Our trust in God’s ability to provide for us is demonstrated by our resting. I don’t have to work as the rest of the world does - in fear that if I don’t work the hours I won’t survive or get the promotion. We must work hard, be an example in our work ethic, but not in fear and restlessness. My ability to rest is a sign of faith. When I lose balance and start working excessive hours, I know I need to stop and ask – have I stopped working in faith?

A day of rest is not about filling a day with more activities, but a day of refection, time with God and His people.

Prayer

Father, thank You that I can trust You for my provision. Thank You that You give us a day of rest. Lord, where I’ve stopped working (career) in faith and am being driven by fear, I repent. Help me to rest in Your provision for me.

For the family

Do you as a family have a rest day? A day when you are not at work or working at home, or running from one sports event to another, but able to take time as a family to talk about what God has done in your lives. Talk about how rest shows our trust in God. In what ways can you as a family show your trust in God?