Sabbath Delights

One of the simplest ways to simplify our spiritual lives may be the setting aside of the Lord's Day.  Yet, for some this is not as easy as it is for others.  Last night we discussed the Lord's Day and I believe the conclusion of the matter was that it is a precious gift from an all-loving all-wise God. 

Leah lead us through pages 163-172, which principally dealt with the Lord's Day.  Here are some key points from the discussion:

• There are varying beliefs on what it means to remember the sabbath, but never the less, we should take our views from scripture and be intentional about our Lord's Day activities.
• What are some ways that we can be intentional?  Plan ahead, remember that it is a blessing and it is for our good, keep in our minds the importance of the corporate aspect- we are a body and during the week we are not with the rest of our body!  What a blessing to be joined with our body in the name of the Lord, on His day!
• The day is a delight! 

 “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath,
From doing your pleasure on My holy day,
And call the Sabbath a delight,
The holy day of the Lord honorable,
And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways,
Nor finding your own pleasure,
Nor speaking your own words,"

Then you shall delight yourself in the Lord;
And I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth,
And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father.
The mouth of the Lord has spoken.”

Isaiah 58:13-14

• The day is a blessing!  Amanda noted that it is one day that we don't need to struggle with knowing what we are supposed to do.  We know we are to set it aside, we are not to work, and we are to worship the Lord.  How nice to have it spelled out for us so clearly.
• We need to "erect walls that hold back the unfinished backlog of life on one side and the appealing opportunities provided by technology and prosperity on the other, and live within that restful space for one day.  And we must do it for the health of our souls and bodies, for the blessing of our families and relationships and for the building of the church and the kingdom of God." Donald Whittney
• It was so good of God to give us days, and weeks with beginnings and ends...times for work and times for rest. 

Thank you dear Leah for leading us in this discussion!