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Wednesday, February 4th, 2015
CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Exodus 19:16-21:21
Matthew 23:13-39
Psalm 28:1-9
Proverbs 7:1-5
For full text click here: http://bit.ly/1etzy9O
Commentary from Pastor Mike White:
Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work… – Ex 20:9,10
We don’t have to keep the Sabbath. We no longer live under the Law, but under grace. However, Jesus makes clear that the Sabbath is for our benefit: we were not made for the Sabbath, but the Sabbath was made for us (Mk 2:27). We are therefore invited, not required, to rest!
For the Jewish people, the Sabbath was a day of cessation from work for the entire household. “Rest” is the Hebrew ‘malakah’ (Strong’s #4399), which means refraining from any occupational, public, political or religious service. God’s people were required to set aside one day where they did nothing but worship and honor God with their full attention.
As New Covenant Christians, we are also invited to enjoy the Sabbath as a literal day of rest. However, God is also inviting us to enjoy so much more than just one day of rest. He invites us to enjoy a lifestyle of rest.
We no longer have to work to earn God’s favor. We are no longer saved by works, but by grace, through faith! The finished work of the Cross is all we need! When we put our trust in Jesus Christ, He gives us rest (Matt 11:28).
Will you join me in resting from trying to earn God’s love and affection? There is nothing we can do to make Him love us more; but there is also nothing we can do to make Him love us less! When God looks at you, He sees His Only Son. He loves you just as much as He loves Jesus Christ!
Prayer:
Father, thank You that I am saved by grace, through faith. I don’t have to work for Your love and affection, because You give them to me freely! Thank You for that gift, in Jesus’ mighty name!