Genesis 2:1-4 The Message (MSG)

Heaven and Earth were finished, down to the last detail.

By the seventh day, God had finished his work.
On the seventh day, he rested from all his work.
God blessed the seventh day.
He made it a Holy Day Because on that day he rested from his work, all the creating God had done.

This is the story of how it all started, of Heaven and Earth when they were created.

When’s the last time you really rested? When I say rested I mean got enough sleep, nourished your body properly, relaxed, didn’t worry about your to-do list, and spent time with your family? With our busy schedules it’s probably difficult to even think of a time where we can say we truly rested. The last day I can recall doing “most of these” was the Saturday before Baby Jonathan was born. I relaxed on the couch most of the day and just watched Hallmark Christmas movies. I Rest has now become something I crave but I hear won’t happen again until he’s at least 18 and probably not even then. But God gives us directions here in the very beginning of the Bible which are important for us to follow in our lives. The Lord worked hard creating the Heavens and the earth and every living creature upon them. He worked and He worked but then once it was completed He rested. He blessed the Seventh day and made it Holy.

How do you spend your Sundays? For most people it is a day off work, but not for everyone. Hopefully we all can find one day where we can use it as our rest, recreate and recharge day. Sundays are good because ½ of the day can be filled with worship and the study of God’s Word. The rest of the day can be spent with quality time with our families and friends, perhaps a Sunday afternoon nap, a good home-cooked meal, and time recharging our batteries for the week ahead. It’s not always easy to do; it has to be very intentional because life and our to-do lists can overpower our day of rest very quickly. However, the Lord rested after His work and He blessed the Seventh Day. I pray we too can do the same – rest and praise Him during our Seventh Day, no matter what day of the week that might be.

Prayer

Lord God you are awesome and amazing. You have given us directions that we all need a day of rest and a day that is Holy. Help us to make sure we carve out a special time for you, for our families, and for recharging our batteries. We are not faithful servants for You if we are run down and exhausted. Grant us wisdom and guidance in that area. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.