Shabbat Shalom

February 7, 2021

And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.

~Mark 2:27~

As we sit in our warm homes on this beautiful sunday morning we can admire God's glorious creation. Our eyes shifting back and forth the Father gave to our flesh to peer out the window and watch the snow fall so elegantly; taking in the peace of the changing seasons we were gifted with. The trees bare of leaves yet still standing strong and tall. The quiet sounds of flowing air moving past our ears. The walls of our home surrounding us as we are covered with protection from the elements of the winter weather. I know I personally am sitting here feeling all of these very things and praising God for all He has given us. For all the things He fashioned just so that we could be filled with the joy of His love, to know He did this for us. We can truely sit back and appreciate that God is the most selfless being around, the most merciful, loving and tender hearted Father. This day of Shabbat, is designed from the beginning of time. Shabbat, which is hebrew for Sabbath, is a holy day to our Father. After all of the time God set aside to make the sun, the moon, the stars, sea creatures,land animals, plants and finally man; God decided to set aside a day to rest completely. "And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done." (Genesis 2:2)

God sat back just as we are today and looked around at all that He made, just as we are admiring all that He gave us. It is holy, for He is holy. We are instructed to keep it holy all the days of our lives; " Therefore the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations as a perpetual covenant." (Exodus 31:16)

This is an everlasting covenant, which is not to be broken. The children of Israel knew just how important this was to God, therefore to them it was just as sacred. For the Jewish people their Shabbat is a bit different in a sense, they celebrate theirs Friday evening to Saturday evening. The days are different and the time frame different, yet all in all the same celebration. They typically have meals with their families and brethren, while greeting eachother, "Shabbat Shalom," which simply means Sabbath of Peace. At the end of the day the greeting can switch to "Shavua Tov," which translates to "good week."

This is a constant reminder of what God represents and how the day is to be spent, in peace, ending with blessings for the next week ahead of works for the Lord.

"Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen."

(Romans 15:33)

As we remember the God of Peace, we also remember the Prince of Peace, our Lord and redeemer Jesus Christ. We worship Him and all He has fulfilled in the law, and keeping our new covenant sealed to Him. As the children of Israel are sealed to Shabbat, we too are sealed to Sabbath, being joint heirs in Christ.

"and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together."

(Romans 8:17)

Everything that Jesus is so are we. We are called to be One with Him and are officially adopted into His family. We can officially greet our brethren the same way, "Shabbat Shalom!" Giving honor and praise to the Creator of the universe who allows us a day of rest. The day of rest also blesses us with the feeling of eternity coming to earth. "On earth as it is in heaven." We are bringing heaven to earth as we rest on Shabbat. God is giving us a taste of eternity as we feel our bodies at rest. "And He said, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

(Exodus 33:14)

God is faithful to us in so many ways, we should take this time each Shabbat to remember each and every creation, gift and act of mercy. He gave it to His people then, are giving it to His people now and for all eternity will continue. This is a day of praise and worship alone, there can be no time for focusing on what we don't have, can't have or won't have. We should be counting all of our blessings from God, understanding He did not have to do any of it, but He did. He sits back with us on the throne, still working even as we rest. He listens to the sounds of His children's praise, watches our dancing and celebrates with us. He is not just our master, He is our Father who supplies all of our need, including a day of rest. "There remains therefore a rest for the people of God."

(Hebrews 4:9)

Let us keep the tradition going as He instructed us to, but not just in works but rather in our hearts. He wants us to take this time to be with Him all day and to enjoy the surroundings He gave to us as gifts of heaven. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning."

(James 1:17)

Wherever we may be in this moment or whatever we may be doing on this Shabbat, let us do it all for His glory; remembering His holiness and the traditions of Israel, His chosen place, as we bring honor to Him and to our bodies in which He gave us. As we allow ourselves to take time out of work, we have more room to focus on our love for Him and appreciation, just as we have been commanded.

"Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy."

(Exodus 20:8)

Let us give thanks to Him and say Shabbat Shalom to our brethren as we all rest in Him!

Prayer:

Father God, Almighty Creator, thank you for this gift of Shabbat. Thank you for the command to keep it holy, for you are holy. I rest in Your presence today and give you honor and praise for the beautiful creation that surrounds me. You have truely made a place of peace for me and I choose to use this day to give thanks to the Father of lights. Even at times I may not give You the focus You deserve, You never take Your eyes off me. I am so grateful for Your love. I am so grateful for Your Son who supplies me with all the riches and glory I need for this day. May the peace of God surpass all my brothers and sisters today as they guard their hearts and mind in You today. I pray and receive peace, rest in my body, in my soul and in my mind in the Name above all names, Jesus Christ. Amen.