Hope for the Gentile

Isaiah 56:1-8, ESV

Thus says the LORD:

“Keep justice, and do righteousness, for soon my salvation will come, and my righteousness be revealed. 

Blessed is the man who does this, and the son of man who holds it fast, who keeps the Sabbath, not profaning it, and keeps his hand from doing any evil.”

Let not the foreigner who has joined himself to the LORD say, 

“The LORD will surely separate me from his people”; 

and let not the eunuch say,

“Behold, I am a dry tree.” 

For thus says the LORD:

“To the eunuchs who keep my Sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant, I will give in my house and within my walls a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off.

“And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant—these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer;

their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.”

The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, 

“I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered.” 

A Bigger Picture, Part Seven

There are five steps or phases included in the lectio divina, which in Latin, means “holy reading” or “prayerful reading”.[1] This practice has roots in ancient history and it focuses on feeling and listening to God speaking to us and transforming our lives.[2] When used alongside the inductive approach to biblical interpretation, these steps are meant provide revelation from the Spirit in accordance with God’s written Word. However, it is important to remember that our feelings are not necessarily always in alignment with the Spirit, rather, we must conform our emotions to what the Word of God shows us through the Spirit.[3]

   

The first step, Silencio, refers to the reader setting a quiet time aside to prepare his heart to enter the Lord’s presence.[4] This step should be helpful in any sort of devotional time, because in this fast-paced 21^st century, people often forget how to sit alone in the quiet to study the Word and pray. Reading the Word is hearing God’s voice, and prayer is communication with Him, so it’s vital to set aside regular time to worship the Lord.

  

The second step, Lectio, focuses on choosing a Scripture passage and reading it slowly out loud.[5] The reader needs to concentrate on allowing God’s words to say what they say, rather than reading his own words into it. Also the reader needs to apply the words specifically to himself and not to others, as is so easy to do. This aspect would definitely be vital for a Christian, because it is important to make sure that one is right with God before calling others out.

   

Meditatio directs the reader to connect the Scripture with some part of his current life situation. Reading the passage slowly again and allowing the words to sink into his heart and mind, the reader can more closely focus on what principles God is teaching. This step could be concerning, as it may lead some readers to overspiritualize the text, but through careful study, the reader can glean the principles that God has revealed to us.[6]

   

After concentrated study on the passage, the fourth step, Oratio, tells readers to use this time to pray through the passage, asking God to show His truth and point out areas where actions and attitudes need to be aligned to His Word.[7] Praying to God allows the opportunity to speak honestly with the Lord and often times helps to pinpoint areas of struggle.

   

The last step, Comtemplatio, includes the aspect of prayer in surrendering the past, present, and future to God in light of the passage that was read. Through prayer the reader also should ask that the Lord would continue His transforming work in his life, and then thank God for all He has done and continues to do.[8]

In conclusion, these five steps pointed me back to the meaning of my personal devotions—that of time

alone with God through reading and prayer. In choosing the passage from Psalm 62, I was reminded of God’s eternal character. He is our rock and our salvation and our fortress. Our hope rests in Him alone. Our glory comes from Him being our one refuge. It is in the needed silence that we learn to trust in Him. He desires our prayers and He is pleased to answer them in His timing and His way for His glory and our good. Through these verses, God instructs us to entrust our life to Him and to render to Him the cries of our heart, because He will be a refuge for us. He has promised that, and because of that promise we can remain unshaken and steadfast in our hope.

---

[1] J. Scott Duvall and J. Daniel Hays, Grasping God's Word (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2012), 231. /12.2.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Ibid., 230./12.2.

[4] Ibid., 231./12.2.

[5] Ibid.

[6] Ibid.

[7] Ibid.

[8] Ibid.

Engedi

The post this week isn't taken from my devotional reading, but rather from my studying for Sunday school lessons plans. Last week I taught through 1 Samuel 23. I've been going through 1 Samuel for a long time now, but for six chapters Saul has been relentless in his pursuit of David. It first began with Saul's rejection as king, and then Saul's jealousy of David because he had won the peoples' hearts, and the story just gets more tangled from there on.

In chapter 23, David rescues the city of Keilah from the Philistines. This city was was identified by Saul as one that had gates and bars surrounding it. Which means that for David living there, this could either end up as a trap or as protection. And soon Saul finds out where David is hiding again. Using the ephod that Abiathar (a priest) brought when he fled from Doeg's slaughter of 85 priests, David inquires of the Lord asking if the men of Keilah would surrender him to Saul or not. The Lord said they would give him up to Saul. So David must flee. Again.

David has with him about 600 men at this point; men that he trained into a small army. Some were likely his brothers and other relatives (1 Samuel 22:1-2), but most were men who were in distress, who were in debt, and who were bitter in soul. This unhappy crowd of people gathered to David in the caves of Adullam and he accepted them as his own and provided them with the leadership they so desperately needed.

After David flees from Keilah to the wilderness of Ziph. David's often in the wildernesses of Israel. Always running, always fighting. Just going wherever they could go in order to escape Saul. But he's betrayed by the Ziphites, so then he moves on to the wilderness of Maon. Here Saul likely divides his men into two companies, and soon David is surrounded by the side of a mountain. Just as Saul was closing in on David to capture him, a messenger comes to Saul saying that the Philistines had made a raid against the land. Once again the Lord provides opportunity for David to flee. Just at the right time. Saul leaves to protect his land and there the place was called the Rock of Escape. The place where God intervened against evil, brought deliverance, and rescued his anointed.

David again leaves the area, but in the bleakest of wildernesses he find the strongholds of Engedi. Here David found an oasis in the middle of the desert. Song of Solomon notes that it also had vineyards providing nourishment for him and his men. There are fountains of water that pour out from the limestone cliffs and caves where they could find protection and shelter. So David was given rest and refreshment for a time. He was betrayed by men and pursued by Saul again, but for now, God gave him quietness in the desert.

David wasn't perfect. He was a sinful man, but He was God's anointed and a man after the Lord's heart. He lived much of his early life simply running from Saul and fighting enemies, but resulting from the betrayal, the hurt, the enemies, the pain, and the thanksgiving we have the book of Psalms today. God provided physical temporary rest and refreshment for David, but David's ultimate rest was found in the God of Israel--the King who never sleeps and is constantly guarding His children. His grace was given to David regardless of how many times he sinned or how many times he felt like giving up. And I think perhaps David was reminded of that grace in Engedi. The temporary still moments and the release from pursuit and the miraculous deliverance from Saul.

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,
for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
till the storms of destruction pass by.
I cry out to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
He will send from heaven and save me;
he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah
God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!

-Psalm 57 

(a psalm perhaps written around the time when David was in Engedi)

[Engedi is later referred to in Ezekiel 47 where in the end of time the water of life (fresh water from the salty Dead Sea!) will flow through the Temple and Engedi will be filled with fish and fishermen will spread their nets there. A picture of restoration and healing and refreshment in the new heavens and earth.]

Rest in Jesus

Mark 6:30-32

The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves.

Matthew 14:22-23

Immediately he [Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.

Mark 1:35

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he [Jesus] departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

Luke 5:15-16

But now even more the report about him [Jesus] went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

Matthew 11:28-30

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Psalm 62:5-7

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God.

Isaiah 65:17-19a

For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness. I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people.

Run to Christ

Photo Credit

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Proverbs 18:10

Scripture holds many names for the Lord, but the one that I immediately thought of as I read this verse was this: Faithful and True. This is the name John recorded when he saw heaven opened to him and Christ in His majesty.

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (Revelation 19:11)

In a culture where inconsistency and error are prominent, the Lord provides a place of refuge for His own. Even His very name impresses upon us the inherent qualities that are part of His nature, that of faithfulness and truth. His whole character is that, for He cannot go against His nature. He is not just faithful and true in His actions and word; He is Faithfulness and Truth itself.

The Lord provides a tower, a strong tower for us: one that cannot be taken or destroyed by enemies. We are completely and utterly safe there, because He is our protection. “Here is God’s sufficiency for the saints: His name is a strong tower for them, in which they may take rest when they are weary and take sanctuary when they are pursued, where they may be lifted up above their enemies and fortified against them…The strength of this tower is enough to protect them; the name of the Lord is all that whereby he has made himself known as God, and our God, not only his titles and attributes, but his covenant and all the promises of it; these make up a tower, a strong tower, impenetrable, impregnable, for all God’s people.” (Matthew Henry) Safety is of the Lord, and not only does He provide perfect protection, but He also provides Himself as the strong tower.

It is the righteous that run to it for shelter. The enemy advances upon it seeking to destroy it, but the saints seek it out for comfort, healing, and refreshment. The weak are strengthened. The discouraged are renewed in spirit. The broken are healed, and the just ones rise up yet again. This strong tower imparts a security that is never uncertain. We reach that security through prayer and through the Word of God. When we meet with Him and commune in His presence, He is there to renew our spirit and provide us with His sufficient grace.

You will not find this type of security or comfort in men, nor in anything the world has to offer. Only by fleeing to the one Faithful and True—to His strong tower—will you be fortified against the father of lies; against the fiery darts of the wicked; and against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness which pervades our old nature and the rest of society.

“Here is the saints’ security in God. It is a strong tower to those who know how to make use of it as such. The righteous, by faith and prayer, devotion towards God and dependence on him, run into it, as their city of refuge. Having made sure their interest in God’s name, they take the comfort and benefit of it; they go out of themselves, retire from the world, live above, dwell in God and God in them, and so they are safe, they think themselves so, and they shall find themselves so.” (Matthew Henry) 

Run to the Rock, your Cornerstone, to find safety. There is no shame in seeking security and refuge from the God of all comforts. He gives freely of His peace and provides repose from all trials.

                The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. (Deuteronomy 33:27a)

                The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. (Psalm 9:9)

The Lord’s tower cannot be shaken. He will never be moved, and His children are secure in Him.

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy hield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt though trample under feet.

Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.

With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.

~Psalm 91~

Song: I Run to Christ

In Him,

Kaleigh

His Rest!

And he said, 

My presence shall go with thee, 

and I will give thee rest. 

~Exodus 22:13~

Moses was not alone in questioning where the Lord was leading him. He was chosen for the overwhelming task of leading thousands of Israelites into the Promised Land, and sometimes God did not choose to make the path way explicitly clear--and then, Moses would plead with Him for direction. The verse preceding verse 13 says this: Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, and I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. Moses truly desired to know God--he also realized the impossibility of leading thousands of people without God's aid. And in the midst of Moses' query and confusion, God alleviates his fears, promising that His presence will go with Moses, and He would give him rest. 

In today's fast-paced society, we often forget to just "Be still, and know that I am God". (Psalm 46:10) His rest is set-apart from everyday activities. Jesus took the disciples aside from the crowd to rest with Him. (Mark 6:31) God gave us a natural means of rest by giving us one whole day of the week. God knew that or physical bodies and mental capacities would need a means of refreshment after six days of work. 

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

Just because we come to Christ doesn't mean that we won't have any more work, but that He will give us the strength and refreshment to carry on for His kingdom with even more fortitude than before. Also His "burden" will be lighter than any we would choose or place on ourselves, because He knows exactly how much we can handle and exactly how much we need. Just like Moses' often sought God in the midst of confusion, so our foresight will be cleared when take God's "burden" and receive His rest, instead of struggling under our own imposed load. 

Because God is the ultimate source of our rest, we will be at peace when we claim His hope. We have hope because...

"I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope." (Psalm 16:8-9) 

Because God is always with us, because He is our protector, because He is the one in control of our circumstances, we can be glad, and rejoice, and rest. And also rest because we are possessors of His hope.

"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him." (Psalm 62:5)

"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost." (Romans 15:13)

He is our hope, and He is our rest. Rest in His hope, for only then will you know the "peace that passes all understanding". (Philippians 4:7) Rest not only gives us a break physically and mentally, but it also provides us with the vigor and stamina to go on and do greater things for God. We need to learn to seek rest, so that we can more thoroughly fulfill the will of God. 

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, "In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength." (Isaiah 30:15)

"Prepare me always for what Thy providence shall bring forth. Let me never murmur, be dejected, or impatient, under any of the troubles of this life; but ever find rest and comfort in this, this is the the will of my Father, and of my God: this is for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen." (Thomas Wilson)

Be still my soul; the Lord is on thy side;

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

Leave to thy God to order and provide;

In every change He faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul; thy best, they heavenly Friend

Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still my soul; the hour is hastening on

when we shall be forever with the Lord,

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,

all safe and blessed we shall meet at last. 

Be Still, My Soul

In Christ,

Kaleigh

Going Home

"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." -Revelation 21:4



A place where there is no more cancer, no more dying, no more need for morphine to kill pain, no more tears to wipe away, no more bullets killing innocent school children, no more fear of government take overs. Heaven will have no broken friendships, no more car thefts or junkies. Heaven won't have drunks or poor people. No more careers, no more need for money, no freezing temperatures. No enemies will be there, nor weapons needed to fight battles. Heaven doesn't sound real, but it is.

As most of you know, my Grandpa Duerkop passed away last week, Monday the 7th. The service that was held on Friday was not sad, though most of the people who came didn't have a dry eye before it was over. Our family did not even call it a "funeral" as Grandpa didn't die (1 Corinthians 15:54). Yes, he left his weakened body of dust behind, but now he's alive and well in Heaven (2 Cor. 5:8)! As Christians, we know we where we will go. As Christians who know other Christians who pass on before us, we can be reassured that we will one day be reunited in God's Kingdom. Though we feel that separation on this earth, we realize that our loved ones are in a better place. A place free from pain and anger and drought and storm.

One thing that my Mom wanted at the Memorial Service, was the salvation message. A perfect time to share with those who are not yet in Christ, the message of Jesus and to give them hope for their souls. My Grandpa was strong in his Savior and his faith was steadfast. He was also a man of few words. He could spin a good story for you about his adventurous farming days though. He'd tell stories about how he'd have to go out and chase the draft horses down so he could hitch them to the farm equipment. That's where his strong dislike for them came about.

As my cousin's wife told me at the service, "we don't get over the loss, but we can get through it." But I urge you to not forget the person. Don't make it a point to lose the good memories that you have with him or her. Remember the part they played in your life and feel grateful for having known them and loved them. Because as Alfred Lord Tennyson put it, "Tis better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all". You may have lost a loved one or will in the future, and the verses below can be a comfort to you as you go through those times.   

We see the dying convict who believed that Jesus was the Messiah, had the reassurance of being with Christ that day.....

Luke 23:42-43:
"42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise."

Revelation 21 also provides us with comfort......

Revelation 21:1-7:
"1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."

Satan has not won the battle of a Christian's life. Sin is destroyed because of the power of Christ's blood on the cross......

1 Corinthians 15:54-58:

"54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord."

When we have passed from this earth....

2 Corinthians 5:8:

"We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord."

No, I'm not happy that I've lost my "earthly" Grandpa. But I do have a Grandpa who's up in Heaven sitting at Jesus' feet. I have a Grandpa who's been reunited with two of his children, his mom and dad, his brothers, and all of the many other Christians who preceded him. He's not floating around somewhere in peragatory; he's up there in all of Heaven's glory! 

In Christ,

Anna

His Day: The Lord's Day!

For the Son of man is Lord 
even of the sabbath day.

Matthew 12:8

In response to the "Announcement" Anna posted previously in June on Facing the Waves, one of our readers requested a post regarding Sunday worship. This was not a topic I had consciously thought about (hence the very late post), though I did for a short time a couple months ago. So, I went to Scripture and sermons to refresh my mind.  

Likely, we have all grown up with slight differences in how we observe Sunday. Many people want to know "What can't I do?", rather than focusing on the heart and asking "How can I best worship the Lord on His day?". Dividing this post into two sections, I will attempt to explain what the Lord's Day should mean to believers in the 21^st century. 

What Sunday is not...

Sunday is not the Sabbath. The Sabbath Day was given to the Jews--the Israelite nation. Sabbath was the day on which the Lord rested after He spoke His creation into being. This day was one of rest for God which served as a day of remembrance for the Israelites--a reminder to worship God as Creator. The Lord commanded the Israelites that the 7^th day of the week was to be a day of rest for the Jews and pointed to certain judgment if God’s laws were not kept. (Exodus 31:13-17)This day was to be one that was set-apart; it was marked for sanctification. Israel was not to act like the other nations around them; this Sabbath day was one created specifically for them—a sign of sanctification and rest, in order that they would remember their Creation, His creation, and their sinfulness.

Sunday is not a day in which we commanded to observe the Old Testament rules. The Lord laid out clear laws that the Israelites were to follow, and among those rules were many pertaining to the Sabbath day. They were not to collect manna on that day, and they were not to go on any long journeys, to name a couple. And whoever violated the Sabbath day was to be put to death. (Exodus 31:14) Through these laws, man was to recognize that Creation was marred and that man was filled with sin, and that the only way they could receive forgiveness was by keeping the law.

Sunday is not identified on Judaism’s calendar. The Sabbath day was the 7^th day of the week; one that was to be a reminder to the Israelites that God rested on this day. Not because He was weary, but because it was His day to enjoy His creation and bless all that He had made. (Genesis 2:3) The Sabbath day was a memorial to the original creation—a reminder that Paradise had been lost and forfeited by man’s sin and that there was now judgment if they disobeyed God’s law. The Sabbath was a sign to the Israelites connecting them with the Fall of Man and reminding them that the only way to regain a taste of that Paradise was by observing a day of rest—the 7^th day. The Sabbath was only a shadow of the substance (His rest), and yet it was a promise of future salvation.

What Sunday is…

Sunday is the 1^st day of the week! This is the day that approximately 2000 years ago, Christ victoriously conquered death, paid for the sins of mankind, and provided redemption, justification, and sanctification for all those who would believe in Him. (Luke 23:53-12:1-12) This is the day that Christ appeared to His disciples, showing them that He is risen—proving that all His past ministry and death made sense, that the Old Testament was broken once and for all, and that the Father affirmed His finished work on the cross. He also promises to His followers that they would receive the Holy Spirit after He had been received up into heaven. (John 20:19-23) Again, on the first day of the week (a different Sunday ;), the disciples received the Holy Spirit and were given the gift of speaking in tongues, and Peter preached the first “Sunday sermon”. (Acts 2:1-4, 14-43)

Sunday is a day in which we are no longer under the bondage of the law.  When Jesus died, He eliminated the priesthood, sacrifices, and holy days—including the Sabbath. Sunday was the day Christ arose and overthrew the law. He eliminated the need to work for salvation by following the law.  Believers rest from the works approach to righteousness, because we have entered into the new covenant—the one where Christ is our ultimate rest. The law only pointed to Christ—and Christ was the fulfillment of that law through His atoning work on the cross. We are not under the bondage of the law anymore, but rather, we are bondage of grace; and through grace, we have freedom in Christ. (Romans 14:1-6) (Galatians 4:9-11) The Sabbath laws were mere shadows of the hope to come; Christ’s resurrection is the hope. (Colossians 2:16-17) And while, Sunday on this earth is still only a shadow of the rest to come, we now have the promise of salvation. If we try to hold on to the old laws of God, then we make His finished work of no avail. No longer are we only left with a shadow of rest as the Old Testament provided, we now have the substance: Christ, and He is our complete rest. To paraphrase John MacArthur’s words: When Jesus picked the 12 disciples, He left the Old Testament leaders behind; when He picked the 1^st day of the week, He left the 7^th behind.

Sunday is a day in which we worship Christ as Redeemer, Savior, and Lord. We observe this day because this is the day when our Lord proved His deity and the sufficiency of His fulfillment of the law. After all, He was the one to demonstrate the throwing aside Pharisaical laws by healing and working on the Sabbath. (John 5:3-18) He isn’t honored with the keeping of some day of the week; He is honored in our worship of Him on the Lord’s day. While the other Old Testament commands are repeated in the New Testament, there is never a command to observe the Sabbath. The Sabbath was done away with, so the disciples came together on the first days of the week (And not just the first days! Sometimes they worshipped together for days in a row.[Acts 2:46]) , without the bondage of the law. This is the day when we glorify Christ as Redeemer; not worshiping old creation, but the new! This is “the Lord’s Day”: set-apart for Him. (Revelation 1:10)This is the day when the disciples gathered together to break bread, worship, sing, preach, and embrace the truth of the gospel. (1 Corinthians 16:1-2) This is not a day that is just a “stop-off” in the middle of the week; it’s a day to remember the glory of your salvation. We are not forbidden to work or play—but, remember, this is the day that God named as His own. Surely, we can give Him—He who created us, died for us, and saved us—one day of the seven He gives us. We are commanded not to forsake the assembling of believers, and especially as the coming of Christ draws nearer by nearer, so our communion with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ should increase. (Hebrews 10:25). Celebrate His resurrection and atoning work, by filling the Lord’s Day with worship, preaching, and fellowship; and rest in Christ and in the reality of your salvation. This is our day to find greatest delight in Christ and to fellowship with brothers and sisters in the Lord, because He rose from the grave, victorious over death, and  is now seated at the right hand of the Father, living to intercede for His chosen ones.

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works; Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Hebrews 10:23-25

In Christ,

Kaleigh