September 13, 2023: Isaiah Insights On The Sabbath

Most people familiar with the Bible will recognize Isaiah 58 as the fasting chapter, but there is one verse that we must pay attention to that has to do with keeping the Sabbath.   
    
"Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don't pursue your own interests on that day, but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord's holy day. Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day, and don't follow your own desires or talk idly." (Isaiah 58:13, NLT)

There are four instructions that Isaiah gives us in keeping the Sabbath:

1. Keep the Sabbath holy and do not pursue your own interests. Most believers plan their Sabbath around what they desire to do or are interested in.
   
2. Enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight. Let's face it, most families struggle with finding delight in the Sabbath, especially after arguing all the way to church.
3. Honor the Sabbath and do not seek your own desires. So many have trained themselves on what the Sabbath should look like, that they no longer leave room for God on their Sabbath day.
4. Do not talk idly on the Sabbath because God sets the day apart as holy. It must be approached as Moses approached the burning bush, holy!
   

The Sabbath reminds us of who God is and causes us to stand in awe of Him. In that place, we find God and we find rest because we have intentionally entered into the day He created for us.