As it is Shabbat it seemed a good time to reflect on Brother John Onelum’s message on the topic of Sabbath rest from last week. John noted the need for rest, and how God in His wisdom and plan worked this into our week. God even gave us the example, when He rested on the seventh day after the creation.
God set aside the Sabbath that we may recharge, but it was also that we might trust in Him. It would not be by our labours, but through His gifts that we might have life and blessing. In John’s words, ” God equaled the maths.” We might not make ends in six days, but probably not in seven either. We trust in Him to provide, to make up for the shortfall.
The people of Jerusalem had failed to heed that lesson. In Nehemiah 13, the people had taken to “treading wine presses on the Sabbath, and bringing in sheaves, and lading asses; as also wine, grapes, and figs, and all manner of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day (verse 15).” They were trying to make up the deficit themselves. What they did was separate themselves from the fount of all, blessings. Nehemiah notes that he was forced to testify against them.
Do we trust in God? Are we putting our hopes in our own efforts? Or are we willing to trust in the Lord of the Sabbath to give us our Sabbath’s rest?
Shabbat Shalom.
Padre
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