RESTING ON THE SABBATH | Northstar Church

“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.” – Exodus 20:8-11.

A couple of friends were conversing one day when one asked the other, “What did you do on your day off?” The friend detailed a seemingly endless amount of responsibilities and activities that needed to be done but did not finish because his friend interrupted by saying, “That does not sound like a day off.” The friend looked somewhat perplexed and replied with a shrug, “Well, if I don’t get them done on that day, when will it get done?”

Busyness has become an unofficial badge of honor in our society. We try to do too much in too little time and wonder why we are always exhausted. We were not made to go 24/7. Like all the devices we use to fit everything in, we need time to recharge our batteries.

Exodus 20:8-11 tells us one of the ways to recharge our battery is the Sabbath. The Sabbath is something we rarely talk about. We think it’s an Old Testament law that isn’t for us. The idea that setting aside a day to rest completely is not just a commandment but an act of worship where we acknowledge God’s power and authority by surrendering our need to work constantly, allowing ourselves to fully enter into His rest and be renewed in His presence; reflecting on the creation story where God rested on the seventh day, demonstrating the importance of taking time to pause and appreciate His work.

When was the last time you took a real Sabbath? Not a Saturday where you didn’t work but still ran errands, not a Sunday morning at church followed by doing the week’s laundry, not five minutes of reading the verse of the day from your Bible app before launching into the workday. We know the Sabbath means rest, but what is true and real rest?

Simply put, the Sabbath is stopping and sitting with the Lord. Deciding how to Sabbath isn’t a one-size-fits-all practice, but something we each decide for ourselves. This can be reading, spending time with friends, turning your phone off, painting, driving, etc. The idea is to do something peaceful, life-giving, and resting with no agenda other than to refresh your spirit. This practice will hopefully help you feel closer to God and more rested.

But Sabbath rest goes much deeper. The Sabbath is a time to step back from daily routines and actively reflect on our relationship with God, considering how we can better align our lives with His will. Setting aside time for quiet contemplation, prayer, and fellowship with others allows us to experience spiritual renewal and be refreshed for the week ahead.

Discussion Questions:

How does the Sabbath represent a time to step away from our efforts and rely on God’s work?
How can you intentionally create a space for rest and reflection on your Sabbath day?
How can you incorporate acts of worship and service into your Sabbath?