Devotional for 9/6/15
Many of us take the first Monday in September off from our jobs for a holiday that honors the labor force. Seems odd to not work in order to honor working. Not everyone gets the day off, but for those who do, it is often a day to relax, maybe have a cookout with family or friends, or perhaps go on a trip for the 3 day weekend. It's a time to take a break from the normal Monday work day.
Many see work as a chore, something we must suffer through. It is because of human sinfulness that "work" has become a "four letter word." In Genesis when Adam sinned, God cursed the ground and said from then on people would have to work hard in order to make it produce plants to eat.
Some people wonder how taking an extra day off is honoring our ability to work. "Rest" has become a "four letter word" for some. They have become workaholics and cannot do "nothing." They have forgotten how to rest and relax. Even their rest days become frantically filled with activities. But rest implies rejuvenation. When we sleep, our body rejuvenates. When we take a break from a job, we renew our energy to do that job better. Even God took a day off after creating the heavens and the earth! He rested on the 7th day of creation. God has also said that we should take a day of rest every week in order to honor him.
Exodus 20:9-11 NIV “Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work... 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."
There is another kind of rest that only God can fully give - soul rest. It is a rest from our burdens and worries as he carries them for us to the cross. He wants us to know that he has it all handled, that we are to do what we have the ability to do with his help, and then leave the results to him. We find that this approach relieves the burden, making it as light as a feather.
Matthew 11:28-30 NIV [Jesus said:] “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Prayer: Thank you dear Father in heaven for not only telling us to rest but also showing us how it is done. Thank you also for sending your son, Jesus, to carry our burdens and sorrows, and giving us a yoke that is light as a feather when carried by the power of your Holy Spirit. May we be refreshed as we rest in your loving arms. In Jesus name, Amen
written by Jan Andersen
Even in the days before Adam and Eve fell from grace there was work to do. The difference was that it was a joy and not so difficult. Now we work under difficulty, but work is a blessing in the long rung. However, it is important to balance labor with rest. No one can work with no time of relaxation and balancing of duty with times of rest. This is good to consider on this Labor Day weekend, If you are employed thank God for this blessing that helps in life. In the face of unemployment, pray. Prayer changes things.
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