The Gift of Sabbath Rest

Lenten Devotional Series Day 14. Today’s meditation is on the fourth commandment, Exodus 20:8-11.

Traditionally, each of the Ten Commandments has been understood to include both a prohibition and a duty. As we observed yesterday, the fourth commandment prohibits a life of unceasing labor, without rest and reflection. Today we focus on the duty—or perhaps better, the gift—of Sabbath-keeping.

In it God invites us to rest, worship, and be refreshed in him. While we aren’t experts, as we learn the art of “leaning in” to Sabbath-keeping, it is quickly becoming our favorite time of the week. For us, it is a time for renewal, restoring balance, normalcy, and margins.

Every family is different, and options vary from place to place around the world. How you work out a rhythm of work and rest is between you and the Lord. What follows is a description of a routine that, as city-dwellers, we have found to be life-giving as we endeavor to remember and keep the Sabbath each week:

• We set apart Friday evening through Saturday afternoon, by saying “no” to any social engagements or outside commitments.
• On Friday night, we have dinner as a family. Except for immediate relatives, there are no visitors!
• We sing together a song called “Shabbat shalom.” Our son likes it… particularly the clapping!
• After dinner, each of us shares at least one thing from our personal devotions during the prior week.
• We pray together for God’s kingdom, in our family, church and community life.
• Josh lays hands on our son, recites the Aaronic blessing over him, and then we put him to bed.
• We open a bottle of wine, keeping in mind that some drink to forget, but as Christians we drink to remember the blood of Christ shed for us, and the promise of eternity feasting in the presence of God.
• For the rest of the evening through the next day, we enjoy a change of pace that allows for rest, reflection, imagination and re-creation. The only “rules” are family time without social engagements, and finding restful activities that don’t fall prey somehow to multi-tasking or work obligations.

One principle observation has stuck out for us:  like the Psalmist said, in keeping this commandment there is great reward. Just as it’s a different kind of workday if we’re rested the night before, it’s a different kind of Sunday if we’ve actually remembered the Sabbath day beforehand. We feel restored—and ready to engage in corporate worship, ministry in the community, and fellowship with friends as we see them. In resting, God meets us and empowers us for the week ahead.

Practicing the fourth commandment helps us remember God’s faithfulness to us. In our weakness, he is strong. As we depend upon him, he empowers us for our varied vocations. And just as he provided manna for the Israelites wandering in the desert, he gives rest and renewal to those who call on his name.

Today in prayer, begin with the Collect of the Day (below). Then remember God’s faithful provision in times of weakness. Ask him to lead you in practicing rhythms of work and rest that are life-giving. Confess any unfaithfulness in this area, and renew your faith in him. Finish with the Lord’s Prayer.

The Collect of the Day. Almighty God, you see that we have no power of ourselves to help ourselves: guard us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls; that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Josh Good is a Consultant with ICF International, where he directs a research study on faith-based organizations that partner with the federal government. Becca Good leads the Women’s Care Team at the Church of the Resurrection and is an InterVarsity chaplain to DC area graduate students. They live on Capitol Hill with their son.