After a week of work, most look forward to the respite of the weekend. We are tired of the grind, of getting up early, of fighting traffic, of the constant demands of our respective jobs. By the end of the week we need a break.  This give rise to the TGIF slogan.

Rest can be defined as a tranquil state free from anxiety – something for which most people yearn. Unfortunately, many try to find this through habitual drinking and partying. Instead of deriving needed rejuvenation, they lose sleep and likely suffer from a hangover the following day.

Our loving Creator recognized that humans require regular intervals of recuperative rest and created the gift of the Sabbath Day. This is a day when we are to put away our workaday demands and distresses. It is a day when we are commanded to cease and desist from work – something that has become even more difficult in today’s society with all of our electronic devices that keep us so connected to our job.

The Sabbath was created by God when He deliberately rested on the seventh day of Creation. The Sabbath was included as the fourth of the Ten Commandments given to Israel soon after they were delivered from Egypt. They were reminded of them again as they were preparing to enter into the Promised Land. It is especially instructive to note that as they came out of slavery and bondage they were given a day that was the opposite of bondage – a day of liberty and respite.

As we approach each seventh day Sabbath, let us rejoice in our freedom to keep the Sabbath day. Now might be a good time to read Sunset to Sunset God’s Sabbath Rest (http://www.ucg.ca/booklets/sunset-to-sunset-gods-sabbath-rest/).

Anthony Wasilkoff