"He rested"
Good morning 🕊 VOD
Mark 2:27
"And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath."
Genesis 2:1-3
"Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation."
Here we can see this elaborate setting where God gave man everything He could possibly need to live his best life.
An existence, a dinner party or feast so to speak, where the table is set, all things are just right, He calls it "Good".
Then God takes a day off, He sets it aside and makes it holy.
On this day, He marvels with a sense of accomplishment at what His preparations looked like, how perfectly everything was in order and in it's place. In that time of reflection, He also considers tomorrow, what He will accomplish next. What all that entails and how it may come together.
God is the perfect planner...careful and meticulous.
Do we at least seek fellowship with God to reflect upon His goodness?
How can we express our gratitude and appreciation for abundance of the life and the environment He has provided?
Do we engage in work and stewardship?
We were intended to produce spiritual fruitfulness... how will we achieve this?
"Heavenly Father, Abba, Elohim, how can we possibly express our gratitude for what You have given to us? We can only marvel at Your accomplishments, Your works in all that is beautiful in this world. Show us how to honor You. Shall we sit in silence and speak alone? Shall we celebrate Your Presence in worship and in song... or serve the brokenhearted, down trodden and crushed in spirit? Your wish is our honor, "yes" is the answer, now what is Your request? Blessed be Your name...
in Christ Jesus, Amen."
Psalm 8:4-5
"What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor."
Taking a day of rest, as exemplified by God in Genesis 2:1-3, serves as a profound reminder of the importance of balance between work and rejuvenation. Personally, I have found that dedicating time each week to pause and appreciate life’s blessings deeply enriches my spiritual and mental well-being. When we observe the Sabbath or a day set aside for rest, it invites us to step back from our busy routines and reflect on what truly matters — our relationships, our purpose, and our connection with the divine. In my experience, this day provides a sacred space not only to rest physically but also to engage in spiritual fellowship through prayer, meditation, or worship. This time helps cultivate gratitude for all the abundance around us, from the natural world to the supportive community we live in. Just like God, who blessed and made the seventh day holy, humans too can sanctify their rest, turning it into a time of renewal and honoring God’s provisions. Moreover, resting is not passive; it enhances productivity and creativity by allowing the mind and body to recover. Reflecting on scriptures like Mark 2:27, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath," reminds me that rest is a gift tailored for our well-being and is vital for sustaining fruitful work and spiritual growth. Embracing this divine rhythm encourages stewardship—not just of our time and talents but also of the environment and people entrusted to our care. Ultimately, incorporating rest into our lives aligns us with God’s perfect planning and meticulous care, inspiring us to live intentionally with gratitude and purpose. Whether through silent reflection, heartfelt prayer, joyful worship, or acts of service, honoring this sacred rest fosters deeper spiritual fruitfulness and a richer appreciation of God’s handiwork in all creation.
PRAISE THE LIVING GOD FOR EVER AND EVER