Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. (2:1–3)
God made the seventh day holy (separate) from Creation. Before He had given any instructions, commandments, or laws, this seventh day was made holy by God.
Early in our marriage Alan (my husband) and I decided to keep the seventh day (Saturday) holy or “separate” as a day of rest. For us that looked like not doing shopping, laundry, cleaning, gardening, or other work. I would cook enough for Friday dinner so that we could have leftovers for our Saturday dinner. One thing I gave up was Saturday garage sales—I really enjoyed the bargains I found at those sales, but as Alan pointed out, it was a matter of trusting God that He could provide for us despite giving up those sales, which He did. In fact, taking one day of rest means we are trusting God that we can do everything He wants us to do in six days. Obeying God involves trusting Him. Happily, He is trustworthy.
Keeping a day of rest is something that we would do well to seek God about. As my friend, a pastor’s wife says, “Saturday is a busy workday for us, as is Sunday, so we take Monday as our day of rest.”
Prayer: God, please show me how to take a weekly day to rest from my work – what should that look like in my life? Amen.
