DAY 154 - BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE LAW
FOR IN SIX DAYS THE LORD MADE THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH, THE SEA, AND ALL THAT IS IN THEM, BUT HE RESTED ON THE SEVENTH DAY. THEREFORE THE LORD BLESSED THE SABBATH DAY AND MADE IT HOLY.”
Exodus 20:11
Reading: Exodus 31: 12-18; Hebrews 4: 9-11
What did you do last weekend? Chances are that you had at least a few hours off in which to cease from your work, rest, relax and enjoy some leisure time. We take rest for granted in this day and age – being able to rest over the weekend – a practice that is now so much a part of our culture and society that we do not understand a world without it.
We do not understand the life from which the Israelites had just been saved...they were slaves. Slaves with no needs worth considering, and no rights. They were forced to work, every day of their lives that they were able, from dusk until dawn. They did not understand the concept of rest. But the God of their fathers, who had saved them from Egypt, made provision for rest.
Why did He command them to rest?
The first reason, is that the Sabbath is a holy day for God. For six days, He labored with love to form creation and everything in it. But on the seventh day, He rested. He looked over the work He had done during His work week and He felt intense satisfaction - so He celebrated.
God, himself, rested and simply enjoyed the work He had done and all He had accomplished.
In this way, He is showing so many important things.
We should always remember our Creator, our Source, our Father. When we rest on a day in the week, we are literally replaying the week of Creation in our minds - remembering and honouring our Creator.
As we rest, we also remind ourselves that we have a Provider, who has already provided everything for us. That was the work that God did in those six days - He provided for us. When He asked the Israelites to not do anything to provide for themselves on the seventh day, it was to remind them that He is their ultimate Provider.
God did not institute this sign of the covenant for the sake of keeping another law – He intended for His people to experience rest. This was also a witness to all the nations around the Israelites, who at the time, had no such practice. They believed that the only way to keep up with the demands of life and provide enough food to eat, was to work harder. The harder you worked, the more successful you were.
Sound familiar? Are you trusting in your hard work to provide for your life? Do you work long days and over weekends? Do you believe you have earned your living at the end of the day? Do you live for the salary you get at the end of the month? Do you believe that your job is the source of your provision?
Rest is more than a good night’s sleep. It is an attitude of believing God for His provision. It's a glorious way of honouring God.
Prayer
Thank you, Lord, for providing everything that I will ever need! Forgive me for looking to anything else for my provision.
For the family
Explain
Explain to your children how God created everything we need in those first 6 days of creation – and ever since, He’s been faithful to provide for you as a family each new day. Explain the importance of being thankful for this provision and not giving in to fear and worry about the future.
Engage
Sunday School Games: Focus
A new twist on this favorite game shows kids that God’s blessings are everywhere-all they need to do is look.
Bible Connect: Matthew 7:7; Romans 2:7
Stuff: You’ll need paper, pens, and a tray of theme-related items such as office supplies, candy items, or craft supplies. You’ll also need an assistant.
Play: Give each child a piece of paper and a pen. Tell kids your assistant will walk around the room with a tray of items. Kids’ task is to write down what they see (be precise with your wording here). Have your assistant walk around the room with the tray, allowing ample time for kids to write down the majority of items on the tray.
Once kids have viewed the tray, have your assistant leave the room. Then tell kids they can use their notes or memories to answer questions. Ask questions related to the assistant such as: What color were his shoes? Was she wearing earrings? Was he wearing a watch?
Then call your assistant back into the room to reveal the answers. Kids will realize their focus on the tray contents was so narrow that they missed the obvious.
Once kids have viewed the tray, have your assistant leave the room. Then tell kids they can use their notes or memories to answer questions. Ask questions related to the assistant such as: What color were his shoes? Was she wearing earrings? Was he wearing a watch?
Then call your assistant back into the room to reveal the answers. Kids will realize their focus on the tray contents was so narrow that they missed the obvious.
Cool Down: Ask kids to discuss things they focus on, such as fear, jealousy, or grades. Challenge kids to name things they may miss out on when they focus on one thing or only on the negative. Remind kids that when we focus on God first, we’re able to see all he’s blessed us with each day.