Today and in the upcoming days of this plan, we will look at the fruit of Sabbath. Jesus says in the Gospel that every branch that does not bear fruit should be cut away, and the one that bears fruit ought to be pruned, so it can bear more (John 15:1-2). Keeping the Sabbath is supposed to bear fruit in our lives, otherwise it is just a dead branch and nothing more than a religious act. Today, let’s look at rest as a fruit of the Sabbath.

“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, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.” – Exodus 20:9-11

This is a portion of the passage where God gives the Ten commandments to His people, and one of them is to keep the Sabbath! Can you imagine that? Amid giving important instructions to His chosen people in the wilderness – instructions that would end up becoming universally accepted moral norms in society – God commands us to rest. The same emphasis He placed on prohibiting idolatry, adultery, and theft, He placed on resting one day out of seven. This is an invitation from our loving God and Father to set ourselves apart from the world’s system of thoughts. In a society that promotes consumerism and striving to overperform in everything, resting almost sounds like an insult. People live in this constant fear of missing out and feel that they must work endless hours to be able to possess the latest car, gadget, house…. all to buy themselves joy and fulfillment. God wants to show us, and the world, that it is only in Him, that everlasting joy and fulfillment are found. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him, the Father of lights (James 1:17), who pours out His blessings over His children, not because we deserve it or earn it by our efforts, but because He loves us, and we trust in Him.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.” – Psalms‬ 127‬:1‬-2‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Keeping the Sabbath is not just about resting from our regular labor or work, it is mainly about teaching our soul a new way of thinking and living, renewing our intelligence, and not conforming to the present times. Keeping the Sabbath will produce the fruit of rest in our lives, as we grow in the understanding that all we have comes from God and He is master of our time. As we honor Him in our bodies (I Corinthians 6:19-20) by letting them rest in Him, our trust in Him and gratitude towards Him grow. In addition to the physical rest and wellbeing of our bodies, we learn to find spiritual rest in Him, which is what our soul and spirit yearn for.

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. – Matthew 11:28-29

God’s invitation to true spiritual and physical rest is presented to you today. Will you accept it? Choose to keep the Sabbath and accept the rest that Jesus Christ gives you; may it bear fruit in your life and revive your body, soul, and spirit. Let’s pray together before we meet again tomorrow to explore more of the fruit of the Sabbath.

Prayer:

Father Lord, I know in You alone shall my body, spirit and soul find complete rest. Let the Holy Spirit always remind me to keep the Sabbath and to rest my body from work. As You are the Lord over Sabbath, be my rest, Lord, and don’t make me a slave to the riches of this world, forgetting to seek Your kingdom first. Lord, keep my mind away from distress and worries, and help me find the time or a day within the days of the week to be alone and spend time with You through the meditation of Your word and prayer. Thank you, Lord, for giving me rest when I need it. Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and let everything within me praise His holy name! Amen