Scripture to Read: Exodus 20:8
God made sure that the Israelites knew that the Sabbath was to be kept holy. This day was to be set apart from every other day. Remember, God was re-establishing for Israel what He had foundationally set at the beginning of creation in Genesis 2:2–3, “By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.” God had established a day of rest in His creation account. So, God was not doing something new, but He was laying out for the Israelites His Law so there would be no question to them about taking a Sabbath on the seventh day of the week. Keeping this day holy means keeping it set apart for our Lord. As we saw in yesterday’s devotion, it refreshes and renews us in the Lord. In Exodus 31:13–14, God comes back to speak of the sabbath and says, “…You shall surely observe My sabbaths; for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the Lord who sanctifies you. 14 Therefore you are to observe the sabbath, for it is holy to you…” God told the Israelites that the sabbath was a “sign,” reminding them that it was He alone who made them holy. No one and nothing, other than God, can make us holy before Him.
Challenge & Application
· Knowing God sanctifies us through Christ, how are you living as a sanctified (holy, cleansed, purified) follower of Christ?
· How will you help others know that God alone can and will make them holy if they surrender to Him as Lord?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!