Volume 77: Rest in No Ordinary Work

In the Bible reading plan, we are currently in the midst of Moses's final speech to the Israelites, as he prepares them to enter into the Promised Land. Scattered throughout the book of Numbers and Deuteronomy, we often hear the command to observe the Sabbath day, doing no ordinary work on the seventh day. 

No ordinary work. 

What was the Israelites' ordinary work? I imagine it was quite different than our busy, fast paced culture these days. 

But, whether our Sabbath is a day of not harvesting...

Or if it is a day of not checking work email...

At the root of the day, it is a day of sacrificing our own needs to display our trust that God will continue to provide - that He, alone, is enough. 

What a beautiful God we serve that cares enough about us to implement a day of being reminded that He is a good and gracious God who gives us what we need. 

So may we, in return, give Him our full attention and focus on the seventh day! Giving thanks that we do not have to make it on our own. 

And giving thanks for Jesus, who came into our midst and offered, "come to me all who are weary and heavy burdened and I will give you rest." Unlike the Israelites, we have Jesus who gives us ultimate rest. 

Speaking of Jesus, I have also been thinking about His sermon on the mount, in comparison with Moses's final speech to the Israelites in Deuteronomy. 

When we began the book of Deuteronomy, I was bought in - I loved the stories of recounting their past and God's faithfulness to them. And then we turned to the section focused on the rules, and, if I'm being honest, it's difficult for me to stay focused...

Warnings against idolatry
Clean and unclean food
Forbidden forms of worship
Abominable practices

Sounds intriguing huh!!!! As I read it, the main thought running through my mind is, "thank you, Jesus!!!" For setting us free! And taking on the curse for us! And giving us a new way to relationship with God!

I'll tell ya... I would much rather have the sermon on the mount than Moses's speech!

The Bible Recap stated, "They look back to Exodus to remember who they are, just as we look back to the resurrection to remind us who we are. But we also get to look forward to the return of the resurrected Christ."

May we remember the cross!!! 

So I find rest on the Sabbath reminding the Israelites and us the same truth: God will provide.

I find rest in the difference of the weight of the rules that we are to follow, as we prepare for our Promised land, Heaven.

And I find rest in the fact that we can find rest in many ways - that Jesus didn't just say, "come to me on the Sabbath and I will give you rest."

No, He offers us rest in every part of our lives when we are in relationship with Him. We don't have to keep up with the fast pace. We don't have to earn our way to Him. He is with us and He loves us!

Therefore, we can even find rest in the work week, even the week coming back after Spring Break! 

In the moments of:

Walking the pedestrian bridge, listening to a Podcast. 
Having conversations with many strangers at dinner, thanks to an adorable puppy's presence. 
Sitting on a bench in Coolidge park, eating a sandwich with Frannie. 
Asking Rachel Shields questions about her faith and family.
Playing pickleball on a slow Saturday morning.
Lingering around a lunch table.
Pushing Ollie on a swing at a crowded park.