Scripture to Read: Exodus 20:8
God continued to speak to Moses as He gave Him the Ten Commandments. God has us focused on the sabbath this week. God has much to say to us, so, as we examine His Word, let us all ask Him not to allow us to miss everything He desires us to learn and then apply to our lives. In Exodus 20:8, God said to Moses, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” To keep the Sabbath holy is to set that day aside for refreshment and renewal and to totally focus our hearts, minds, and souls on our fellowship with our Lord God Almighty. We must remember that when God spoke to Moses, the people of Israel had just been delivered out of bondage to the Egyptians. While in Egypt, they would have labored seven days a week, which was hard, back-breaking labor. The Egyptian masters worked the Israelites to “labor rigorously” (Exodus 1:13–14) and made their lives “bitter” (Exodus 1:14) with “hard labor,” in the sense of “cruel bondage” (Exodus 6:9). As a result, Israel grew weak in their “affliction” and “suffering” (Exodus 3:7) “on account of their despondency (hopelessness)" (Exodus 6:9). We must always remember that God gave work as one of the chief purposes and joys of human existence (Genesis 1:27–31, Genesis 2:15). But for the Israelites, it had been turned into misery by the harshness of oppression of the Egyptians. God was restoring to Israel their fellowship with Him, and God left no doubt how important this day would be for them.
Challenge & Application
· As Christians, we must set aside time daily to fellowship with our Lord and His Word, so what does that look like for you?
· What does your Sabbath look like? In other words, how are you refreshed each day, spiritually, physically, emotionally and mentally?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!