Passage Read: Exodus 31-34
Meditation Verse: 31:17
Thought
The Lord didn't need a break. Surely He didn't get tired from all His work of creating. But He finished all His work by the seventh day and rested on it, and was refreshed. He didn't do it for Himself, but for us. Yet He was also refreshed. The Sabbath was meant to be a day to rest and be refreshed, not run around and work and labor, as if we need to wear ourselves out to stay alive. God rested for our sake, not because He need it, but because we need it. Anyone else in leadership should rest as well, even if they think they can work seven days a week for their entire life. The leader too can discover refreshment, even if he doesn't think he needs it.
Application
It is fascinating to think that God was refreshed on the seventh day by resting from His work of creating. His command to the nation of Israel was for everyone to rest on the same day, so that there could be no interruption to anyone on their day of rest. That would be ideal, but not very possible today. Yet the idea that the day of rest was for refreshment so that we could carry on another six days of work is so revolutionary to me. It's not just a break from my labor, but a time to be rebuilt, reinvigorated, encouraged. If my day of rest isn't refreshing, then I'm missing the point. If that means sleeping all day, then sleep. If it means sitting in the sun doing nothing all day, then sit in the sun doing nothing. It should be a time where I am free from the pressures of my work, and all those connected to me can also be free from their pressures, where we can all rest and recover and be refreshed. I need everyone to rest so that I can rest, and they need me to rest so they too can rest!