September 22, 2023: Salvation's Rest

"Remember that you were once slaves in Egypt, but the Lord your God brought you out with his strong hand and powerful arm. That is why the Lord your God has commanded you to rest on the Sabbath day." (Deuteronomy 5:15, NLT)

"Once slaves." Once slaves is what every born-again believer once was. We were formerly slaves to sin, spiritually dead, without hope. But God sent His son, Jesus! And, Jesus came and delivered us! He brought freedom, life, and hope to a bound and oppressed people. By the strength of His strong hand and powerful arm, He delivered all who called on His name! Thanks be to God!
    
For this reason, God commanded the freed children of Israel to rest on the Sabbath. They were to cease all labor, pull away from their work, and keep the day God had blessed and declared holy. This was for their good. It would be their time to draw near to God and remember His Word, His ways, and how much He loved them.
    
It is no different in our day. God still desires believers to join Him on the Sabbath so that we may be refreshed, supernaturally empowered, and remember Jesus, who delivered us! The Sabbath was created for man. That will never change. It is the Word of God. As we abide in Jesus, our Sabbath rest, we too are to pull away from all our labor and meet with Him. As we cease our labor and enter into His rest, we see the 'work' of Christ, finished on the cross, and are humbled! Salvation's rest.