“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” – Exodus 20:8 

Scripture reading: Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15

Having fellowship with God is, in essence, getting to know God and in turn, worshipping Him for who He is.  These verses speak to us of the commandment that we have to take God up on the glorious gift of setting aside a day to focus on this fellowship.  The fourth commandment, as expressed in Exodus speaks to us about God’s own delight in Himself.  As God completed the creation week, He looked at all He had done and said, “This is very good.”  God’s resting on the seventh day does not mean that He was tired (He can’t get tired), but instead speaks of His delighting in His finished work.  We are called to rest today in the same way that God did.  We are to set aside the busyness of our lives in order to worship God for Who He is.

The fourth commandment, as expressed in Deuteronomy, speaks to us about God’s gracious salvation.  The Exodus is one of the clearest pictures in the Old Testament of God’s provision of saving a people in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It ultimately points to man’s slavery to sin and death and the bearing of God’s mighty arm in the redemption purchased by the person and work of Jesus.  This reality also goes a long way in explaining to us what resting on the Sabbath really means.  It means looking to Jesus and resting in His finished work on our behalf.  These things considered, have a wonderful rest today!

Suggestions for prayer

As you prepare for today, ask the Lord to grant you true rest.  Ask Him to feed your soul in the Gospel of Jesus Christ that you might worship Him for who He is.

Rev. Brian Murray is the associate pastor at Grace ARP Church and the Director of Gillespie Academy in Woodstock, Ontario. He has been ordained in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church since 2003 and he and his wife Melissa have four children. Get this devotional delivered directly to your phone each day via our RP App. This devotional is made available by the Nearer To God Devotional team, who also make available in print, for purchase, at NTGDevotional.com.