Lamp for Our Feet, Light for Our Path: SABBATH

Happy New Year!  We continue with our series Lamp for Our Feet, Light for Our Path with the sermon, Sabbath. Sabbath is a rare word for “our world.”  God modeled sabbath by resting on the seventh day of creation.  Jesus helps us understand this example by saying, “Sabbath was created for man….” (Mark 2:27) In other words, God knew humanity would need cycles of rest and worship.  Many of us do not get enough rest, or find a sense of rest in our lives!  Both are important.  If we do not find “rest for our souls” then it will be harder for our bodies to rest as well.  In Hebrews 4:9-16, the writer says that if we are not careful, we will miss God’s rest through our stubbornness and mistrust!  Sabbath is not just a day, but it is an active living reality found in God’s Word.  These verses help us to find a deeper rest that will brighten our path and guide our feet to a better relationship with God! As you read these words, let your heart rest in God’s promise of grace!  Hebrews 4:9-16: There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.  For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.  Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are– yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (NIV)