3/18/2020
So many of us make empty attempts at fasting and prayer, or say we believe and then act differently during our days. We call a day Sabbath, but never rest, nor attempt to seek the presence of God in it. In these ways, among others, we dishonor Him, and raise His ire against us. Then without our focus on Him we believe that the calamities that befall us are not meant to be our punishment, and act surprised when they arise. It is time to open our eyes to Jesus Christ, to pray and fast before God as we should. It is time to honor Him on the Sabbath, and call out His name with expectation.
“"If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of the Lord honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; then you shall take delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken."”
Isaiah 58:13-14 ESV
If we can’t do something so simple as to rest on one day out of our week, and spend it seeking the Lord in our thoughts and contemplation, then how are we ever to serve Him during the remainder of our days? We convince ourselves that God doesn’t mind for us to do whatever we like whenever we like, but that is not true; not how we have been instructed. We quote the scripture passage of Jesus healing on the Sabbath and use it as our defense...
“And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"—so that they might accuse him. He said to them, "Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath." Then he said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other.”
Matthew 12:10-13 ESV
But we forget that Jesus had gone to the temple, and that all of this occurred there, and that this lesson was about doing good on the Sabbath... it was about healing the sick, or feeding the hungry, or giving drink to the thirsty on that day. It was about loving on the Sabbath. Listen to what lead up to the verse we wrongly use to defend our labor on the Sabbath...
“I tell you, something greater than the temple is here. And if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath." He went on from there and entered their synagogue. And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"—so that they might accuse him.”
Matthew 12:6-10 ESV
This was a confrontation between the legalism that had become the law of the Sabbath, and what God intended for the Sabbath to be. It was an argument against denying the nature of God. He doesn’t cease to be good when He rests, and He doesn’t take a break from hearing our prayers, or being merciful. His grace isn’t laid down at the first hour of the Sabbath, and picked back up at its conclusion, but His labor does.
“This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: "Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles.”
Matthew 12:17-18 ESV
So this argument we use against resting on the Sabbath is false, and it is just like our other self serving arguments against doing the commandments and will of God. The rationalization we use to justify our disobedience finds no rest in the ears of God, and no defense in the prayers of Jesus as He intercedes for us. If we can see this, and turn back to the Word of God, and his will for us, seeking His truth, loving Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength by doing as he commands, then we will not face His anguish, nor His punishment. If we can do this then we will recognize our transgressions, and see the reality in those things that are meant to punish us, and they will lead us back to Him, and restore our relationship. if we can do this then plagues will not be sent to get our attention and turn us back towards Him.
“if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV
Today, in our hearts and land, many of us have lost our way, and use our own desires to guide us, rather than leaning on the Word of God, and the gospel of Jesus Christ. Today we are punished because of our transgressions, and wrongly pray for help without true contrition, and without realizing we have sins that need forgiving. This is how completely we have fooled ourselves. This is how far we have wandered from the truth... that we no longer recognize it... repent!
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity."”
2 Timothy 2:15-19 ESV
Prayer:
Father, we thank you for the mercy you show us, and the punishments with which you correct us so that we will not die the eternal death, but find our way back through proper contrition, and prayers for forgiveness, to you. We thank you Lord for the love by which you administer your correction, and for your Son Jesus who has opened the heavenly door for us and made a way home to you. Open our eyes to your presence Father, and our ears to your Word. Teach us of yourself, and guide us in righteousness. Move us from our sinful intransigence, and instill in us a renewed understanding of you through your Holy Spirit. Father have mercy on us. Holy, Holy, Holy are you whose wrath is tempered by grace, and whose mercy and patience are long suffering. We call out the name of Jesus from the sinful places where we find ourselves, and plead for your mercy as we humbly seek redemption through Him. We trust in you Lord, and your grace that heals our souls. Praised be your name now and forevermore! Great are you, and glorious your name for you are our hope, and the essence of every prayer.
“"And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers. But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled. Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,”
Acts 3:17-20 ESV
Rich Forbes