For
weeks I’ve actually gone back and forth on when to post this. Should it be part four of the Waiting for Favor
series, or let it stand on its own?
Seems
the issue was solved with a break between postings. Here’s what I was contemplating sharing with
you.
When
we first started taking three-day mini vacations in October, I spent a lot of
time feeling stressed or guilty and wondered if it was okay with God to enjoy myself with
such a “luxury” (for us anyway). With so
many responsibilities how could I to be thinking this was a good thing to be
doing, and how would it look to others, especially my students?
My
answers would come from the Holy Spirit who reminded me of what the Bible says
in so many passages about resting and enjoying the life God had in store for
me.
Thanks for joining us on Daily Favor Blog.
Getting
Away with A Getaway
Actually,
getting rest or taking a day off isn’t as simple as it used to be when stores
were closed on Sunday. It almost forced people to reset their schedules, because
they couldn’t go anywhere unless it was to visit.
Besides going to church, Sunday was a day to do the rest of the laundry, the rest of housework chores, and get to the rest of the papers I didn't have time to grade during the week. I didn't have time to rest, and didn't think this stuff was out of the ordinary.
I know that this kind of life isn't unique to teachers. These
days people are busy, busy, busy with no slowing down in their forecast. That’s not what God intended and in the long
run it really doesn’t benefit us either.
We
can’t imagine how we can get all the things on our to-do list done let alone do
them in only six days. Instead of
trusting God by faith in His timing to help us accomplish what needs to be
done, we press on impatiently and try to do things in our own strength. You know what God says about this? It’s a BIG mistake!
Did
you know that America is far behind other countries when it comes to taking
vacations or time off to rest? Don't be fooled by thinking "everyone is doing it." - they're not! In my
own life there are few people I know of who ever take a day or two off work (when
they are blessed to have it) much less actually go on vacations.
Why
haven’t we grasped this concept of rest, and why do people think it’s a sin to
have fun when the Bible clearly states that a merry heart is healing to the
body like medicine? Shouldn’t we be
gobbling up time away from work by the spoonful?
Studies
show that those who actually take time off their regular duties are twice as
productive and creative as those who don’t. It’s true, because they come back with the three “R’s” …
Refreshed,
Rejuvenated and
Refocused.
Why
do we think we’re “getting away” with something when we “get away” from our regular
duties? Is resting really that important
or can we just slow down the pace once in a while?
What
Is A Double Reference?
I
know this may be deep, but I’ll try to be clear in the delivery of this
message and how it relates to rest. Here we go …
It’s
strange that I had to think about this, but since God is the Creator of rest
why would He think it’s wrong?
He
wouldn’t, unless the activity was setting out to be sinful and against His
Word. Through studying I learned that
being able to rest is an ordained blessing straight from God.
In
order to be the “creative” people God created us to be, it would make sense
that at some point there would have to be down time or “rest” just as there was
in the beginning. If we were created in
His image, then our lifestyle would be fashioned after His ways as well.
The
Bible tells us that on day seven of Creation, God rested from His labor. Not the kind of rest like we need physically
and mentally. He was not tired as in
exhaustion and had to take time off of work to recuperate.
“And
on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done,
and
He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. Then God blessed
the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all
His work which God had created and made.”
(Genesis
2:2-3 NKJV)
I
like what The Voice translation adds ...
"God blessed (showed favor to) day seven and made it special - (creating) an open time for pause and restoration."
The
Lord “rested” demonstrating this pattern was a benefit for humans and those who
were wise to observe it were indeed blessed with the three “R’s”. Following God’s example to observe the Sabbath
for a time of resting demonstrates our trust in Him as our source for all
things, even the ability of refusing to live life without His help.
This
was the first we learn about the term of rest and it’s “double” referencing in
the Bible (or Law of Double References), meaning there are many facets to resting from labor and what we know
as a Sabbath time.
There is a first or
beginning rest, a middle type of rest and a final rest – all part of “double
references” throughout the entirety of scriptures. Most scholars recognize the first double reference as Genesis 3:15.
The Law of Double Reference really originates back to Creation in the separation of Light (Jesus) from darkness (Lucifer) in Genesis 1:2-3. God called the Light good, but He never recognized the dark as good. This double reference to "light" isn't the same as when the planets were created in verses 14-15 (... this study is for another time).
Although
there is a need to observe a literal Sabbath day of rest for worshiping the
Lord, we have to look at what else it is. The term Sabbath means to cease or cut off from all labor. To rest or stop doing work of any kind.
It also means to be at peace with what God has blessed and set apart as good. It was created for man, not the other way around as most want you to think. Man was created on day six, but reflection
and time of rest came after the work was finished – day seven!
"On the seventh day God had finished His work of creation, so He rested from all His work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it Holy (sanctified as set apart from any other day or period), because it was the day when He rested from all His work of creation." (Genesis 2:2-3 NLT emphasis
Day
seven is a symbol or “double reference” used in scriptures for a finishing of (Divine) work. Rest was built into a period
during creation not only for the physical, material or natural aspect needed
for man, but also the finished work of Jesus that would come later as a result
from the fall of mankind.
It
would be through Redemption of sin on the cross that the original seventh day
blessing of rest was restored through salvation. Jesus restored the original Sabbath carrying out and fulfilling the last Old Covenant Sabbath.
The promise of “rest” and “resting in the
Lord” was always part of God’s plan of favor on those who believe.
God rested – it is
finished for man
Man rested – responding
to His Creator
Jesus rested –
restoration finished on Calvary by God’s grace (favor)
Practicing
Rest without Guilt
Rest
is to be a celebration time because of completed or accomplished work having
all sufficiency for eternity. Day seven was
a sign or symbol of when creating ceased, having been completed and a time for refreshing. (from Exodus 20:11 and 31:17)
"And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it,
set it apart as Holy because it was the day when He rested
from all His work of creation." (Genesis 2:3 NLT)
When
God rested, it was a time of self-satisfaction for a job well-done. He was
pleased with His work, blessed and set it apart for His glory. Therefore, what God sees as good, so should I
(or we) without guilt or shame. It’s not
getting away with anything but His blessings, and those are freely given to those who have accepted Christ.
If
we put what we’ve learned into practice concerning biblical rest, we will be better able to carry through with our responsibilities with a merry
heart. This would be pleasing to the
Lord and a lifestyle He would favor!
Next
time on Daily Favor I’ll go into nine biblical reasons we need time off for “resting”
and even taking vacations. Meanwhile, be
sure to visit us daily on Facebook for our November Days of Thanks challenge.
If this article has encouraged or helped you, please share it by
using the social media icons provided at the end of this post.
Until next
time, take advantage of resting favor!
“There is
favor in taking time to rest.”
- Jesus
Christ
*Unless
noted, the names in articles are changed to protect the individual(s)
privacy.
Note:
When used, the words satan or devil are not capitalized deliberately, because
we give him no place in our lives.
Disclaimer:
Article information is not meant to be used as treatment for mental or physical
issues, but geared toward spiritual awareness.
by Robert Morris
Hardcover; 224 pages
Maybe you don’t know the Living God that I know, but would like to
have this kind of favor in your life also. Click on the above tab “Tell Me About Jesus” for more
information on becoming a child of the Savior.
Content and Image Copyright from Favored1. Do not copy.
Disclaimer Notes: Results may vary due to lack of belief.
Scripture reference was taken from the New King James Bible
Version provided by Bible Gateway.
Image credit: Google Images Creative Common License if not
specified.
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