August 20, 2004

[Rev. Doc]

The Sabbath

"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy."
Exodus 20:8

How thankful we should be that God has given us a day of rest and worship. To take our eyes off of the cares of this world and focus them upon the one who carries our burdens.

J. Vernon McGee tells this story about a man who wanted to argue about the Sabbath. The man said, "I'll give you $100 if you will show me where the Sabbath day has been changed." McGee answered, "I don't think it has been changed. Saturday is Saturday, it is the seventh say of the week, and it is the Sabbath day. I realize our calendar has been adjusted, and can be off a few days, but we won't even consider that point. The seventh day is still Saturday, and it is still the Sabbath day." He got a gleam in his eye and said, "Then why don't you keep the Sabbath day if it hasn't been changed?" McGee answered, "the DAY hasn't changed, but I have been changed. I've been given a new nature now, I am joined to Christ; I am a part of the new creation. We celebrate the first day because that is the day He rose from the grave." That is what it means that the ordinances have been nailed to the cross, Colosians 2:14.

What a joy to start each new week drawing closer to the Lord who will carry us through it.

Prayer: Ask God to help you make your Sabbath, and each day of your life, His.

"A world without a Sabbath would be like a man without a smile, like a summer without flowers, and like a homestead without a garden. It is the joyous day of the whole week." ~Henry Ward Beecher.