“Shabbat Shalom”

    “Remember the Sabbath Day and keep it holy.”  This commandment, the fourth in the Jewish and Protestant Decalogue, is an important part of God's Word, yet most of us give it very little thought.  We live our lives non-stop and seldom even slow down.  Yet, we are commanded to “Remember.”  Jesus said the Sabbath is made for man, or, in other word, it is God’s gift to man.  Christians generally observe Sunday as the Lord’s Day, while Saturday is the Jewish Sabbath.  Whatever day a person observes, the principle is the same; we need a day of rest and a new start. The benefits of setting aside a time for rest, relaxation, renewal, relationships, and reflection are many.

    When in Israel, on the Sabbath you will be greeted with “Shabbat Shalom,”or “Sabbath Peace.”  When the sunset comes on Friday, work is laid down, demands cease; it’s time to welcome “The Rest.”  The rabbis teach that we should welcome the Sabbath  as a bridegroom welcomes his new bride, with singing and dancing.  Sabbath celebrates the completion of the week.  A time to cease, to call the work done.  It is a time to reflect, to review the good this week has brought.  After Creation, God rested and reviewed His work, “And God saw that it was very good.”  This Rest is God's gift to us.  We need to have a sense of accomplishing something.  It is a tremendous “Rest” when we can call a week done, review and reflect, and call it good!

    It’s a time for a new beginning.  Whatever happened this past week, we get a new start.  On Sabbath we transition for a new week.  It is a time to rest from toil and anxiety with rejoicing, peace, family and friends.  The Sabbath is a time for family, for refreshing, for renewal.  A time to love, a time to rejoice.  A time set aside to rejoice in God's goodness, in His blessings, in what He has freely given.  We recognize that we are blessed.  We accept the blessings, unearned and undeserved, with joy and song.

    The best kind of Sabbath is not the restrictive kind of doing nothing, but the "Rest" of releasing all to God and trusting God to care for us, provide all that we need.  Sabbath simply means "Cease."  We  "cease" from our striving and rest in His provision and blessings.  Oh, we may be involved in various activities, but it's about asking my spirit within me to "rest," to realize that all is well.

    Whenever and however you take a Sabbath, just remember that you are blessed.  Underneath are the everlasting arms of God; there is security in His love.  His ears are always open to our cries, His heart is never hardened toward us, but always moved by our longing for Him.  He is ever near, not condemning, just simply loving, accepting, caring.  His presence is sweet.  At times words are good, but there are also those precious times when saying nothing is great, just enjoying knowing that He is there, knowing that all is well.

    May this day be blessed and joyful, may God's peace be fresh and new.  May you experience the depths of boundless love, the heights of unspeakable joy, the breadth of peace beyond understanding.  Today, may loved ones feel especially close.  May family be precious, bonds secure.  Shabbat Shalom