On the seventh day
On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation. Genesis 2:2-3
The French revolution turned everything upside down, including the arrangement of time. They used decimalisation in a thoroughgoing way, dividing each day into ten hours and each week into ten days. But it didn’t catch on. After only a few years, they returned to the seven day week that we find in Genesis.
Rhythm is deeply important in life. The importance of taking regular rest is crucial. People have often told me that they are much too busy to have a day off. But the rhythm God sets in creation is of foundational importance. We cannot disobey the fundamental rule of nature. We need time to recharge our batteries and to renew our commitment to God.
The Old Testament law gave a great deal of attention to the importance of the Sabbath. It was a holy day, set apart for God, and was not to be trifled with. People who worked on the Sabbath were put to death (Exodus 31:15). This all sounds very extreme to our ears, but it emphasises the crucially important nature of this special day in God’s eyes. If God needed a rest day, so do we.
The last few years have seen Sunday become far less distinctive. When I was a boy, the majority of people we saw on the way to church were other people going to church. Now the roads are filled with people heading off for shopping, sport and a huge variety of leisure activities. But nothing has changed. We still need space to be refreshed and renewed, to refocus our lives on God.
QUESTION
How do you ensure that Sunday is set apart for God in the rhythm of your life?
PRAYER
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of a day of rest. Help me to treasure the day and to use it as a time to refresh my life and my relationships and draw closer to you. Amen
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