When I was a lad most shops and businesses were closed on Sunday. People had a break from business as usual on the other six days.

Psychological studies have shown that working seven days a week is almost as bad as working 24 hours a day. Neither is good for our well being.

Perhaps that is one reason that, in the Bible, God’s Fourth Commandment is for rest on the seventh day. Between his death and resurrection Jesus also rested in the tomb during Sabbath as God rested on the Seventh Day from his completed work of Creation.

Today’s secular world does not recognise the God of the Bible, so perhaps it is even more important now for Christians to remember one day to honour our Creator. Like Jesus, the first Christians kept the 7th Day Sabbath (Saturday), of Exodus 20. Then in AD 321 Emperor Constantine, concerned to politically unite pagans and Christians in his new empire, legitimised the “Day of the Sun” for the worship of God, making Sunday the day most believers now go to church.

Paul’s advice in Hebrews 4 to rest in God’s completed Salvation personified in Christ (the “Lord of the Sabbath” Mark 2:27-28), is the Divine counterbalance for  our problems and uncertainties.

Simply remembering to be thankful to our Creator one day in seven and to rest from worldly concerns gives space for hearts and minds of all believers to connect with the inner peace, freedom and hope Jesus promised to all who follow Him.

Written by John Pickering  www.onelight2beyond.com

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