VALGOOD

“Tell the people of Israel to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you forever. It helps you remember that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.” Exodus 31:13, emphasis mine

The other morning before reading my Bible, I asked God to speak to me through His Word. He continues to be faithful!

I have found myself in a season of worrying again. Fear grips my heart often at night as I toss and turn. I’ve been dreaming of my boys drowning. Why? I have no idea! But when I have this nightmare, I wake up with my jaw clenched so tight that my entire head aches. And I continue to worry and feel sick even after I’m fully awake and realize that it’s just a dream. What if something happens to them? What if I can’t protect my little ones? Then I worry, what if I’m not making the best choices to raise them? Then I continue to worry, what if I’m spending too much time at home and not getting enough research done? Then I worry that I’m juggling too much… and yet another night of sleep is lost…

As I’m reading in the Old Testament right now, I came to Exodus 31 where God is speaking to Moses. He notes that He has a man in mind to do the work who He has filled with the Spirit of God, and who He has given great wisdom, intelligence and skill in all kinds of crafts (verse 3). God continues to talk about this gentleman’s skills and abilities and notes that he is a master at every craft  (verse 4) and that He (the Lord) has given special skills to these naturally talented craftsman (verse 5). As I underlined these verses, I thought about how it is God who gives us our skills and abilities. Those things that we’re good at are not for our own glory or because we are ‘good’ but because God has given us gifts for His work. We can trust that if God is calling us to do something, He will provide the skills and abilities necessary to accomplish the task. (That includes raising children, I think!)

As I continued reading, I came to the verse above that notes that the Sabbath is a day to REMEMBER that God is the Lord who makes us holy. I think we forget or neglect that the Sabbath is a special day and assume that because Jesus healed on the Sabbath that it’s no longer a rule. But I fear that we have missed that the Sabbath was actually a gift from God. Sure, it was a requirement, but when God talks about the Sabbath in His Word it’s for our benefit. It’s a day of rest and a day to remember that God is the One in charge; a day to set aside responsibilities and worry and to rest in Who God is and what He has done.

Why do I worry when God is the One who gives us our skills and abilities? Why do I worry when it’s God who is ultimately responsible for all creation? I obviously need to do my part in obeying His voice and commands, but then I need to rest in Him. I need to put everything aside and focus on the One who answers prayers and lovingly guides us.

This morning my devotions included Exodus 34:21-24 “…but on the Sabbath day you must rest, even during the seasons of plowing and harvest…” Even in our busiest times when we feel like we must keep pressing on, keep going, keep toiling, keep getting just one more thing done, don’t let anything fall through the cracks, keep pushing… God tells us that we are to stop, rest and REMEMBER that He is God. He also notes that no one will attack or conquer the land when His people obey His instructions to appear before Him (Exodus 34:24). In other words, He is the One who protects and provides and will honor our obedience to His commands.

When we feel overwhelmed at all that we have to do, concerned that we’re not doing enough or doing things perfectly right, or even downright worried about how to be everywhere at once as the protector of our kids, we’ve missed an important life lesson. God is the One who gives us our skills, abilities and gifts. God is in charge of us and our protection. God Himself tells us to rest and REMEMBER Him by keeping the seventh day of the week holy and set apart for Him. Exodus 34:14 reminds us that God is passionate about His relationship with us. Are we as passionate about knowing Him? Can we take one day a week and remember Who our help comes from?

I have not been great at honoring this command, but I’m going to try to be purposeful in REMEMBERING Who God is when I start to worry. I will cast my cares on God who cares for us. While I’m doing my best with my kids and with my research, I’m going to give all of it to God, as He is the One who provides the skills and abilities necessary to do what He’s called us to. And if you’ve found yourself in a season of worry and fret, anxiety or fear, or even just feeling down like there has to be more, then I want to encourage you to take a day of rest to intentionally REMEMBER who God is. He is passionate about His relationship with His people, and He is our protector and provider and more…

Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive us that we’ve treated your holy Sabbath as just another day to get work done. Forgive that we have not been intentional in remembering your covenant of love. Thank You for providing healing, forgiveness and life through the blood of Jesus. We don’t want to forget what You have done or take it for granted. And we don’t want to worry when You have everything in Your hands and in Your control. Help us to do our best with the life You have called us to. Please provide us with the skills and abilities we need to do what we need to do. But, help us remember that You don’t guide us to where we will flounder, if we will obey Your instructions and Your Holy Spirit. We ask You to continue to lead us on this journey – may we follow where You call us and enjoy a relationship with You forever. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!