Jul 26, 2020
Originally Presented: January 4th, 2009
Scripture Reading: Romans 14:1-6
We live at breakneck speed, with activities filling our days to the maximum extent. We usually take little time for rest, whether it is rest for our body or rest for our mind. We eat our meals quickly, drive quickly, and talk with those we love but briefly. It is a frenzy that, for the most part, is not healthy . . . neither physically, nor spiritually.
What often gets neglected is time, precious time, spent in thinking about our great God, praying to Him, meditating on His eternal Word. In the 4th commandment, God commands that one day a week we cease from the madness of life's activities. The purpose for this pause is that we might regularly consider, without distraction, the greatness of God and the wonder of His works.
We follow the apostles' example (cf. Acts 20:7; 1 Cor 16:2) of observing this rest on the first day of the week, not on the seventh, as was the Jewish practice. The principle remains the same. We must take one day off in seven, as a pattern that God Himself established in the creation of the universe.
If we insist on working week in and week out without a break, without thoughtful consideration of the splendor of the Almighty God and what He has done in Jesus Christ on our behalf, we are guilty of being not only irreverent, but foolish. We think that in completing so many tasks we are being more productive. The truth is that it is sinful . . . an affront to the dominion of God over time.
WESTMINSTER LARGER CATECHISM
(A.D. 1648)
Question # 117
How is the Sabbath or the Lord's Day to be sanctified?
Answer: The Sabbath or Lord's Day is to be sanctified by a holy resting all the day, not only from such works as are at all times sinful, but even from such worldly employments and recreations as are on other days lawful; and making it our delight to spend the whole time (except so much of it as is to be taken up in works of necessity and mercy) in the public and private exercises of God's worship: and to that end, we are to prepare our hearts, and with such foresight, diligence, and moderation, to dispose and seasonably dispatch our worldly business, that we may be the more free and fit for the duties of that day.