Today’s devotion comes from Exodus 34:21.
“You shall work six days, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even during plowing time and harvest you shall rest.” Exodus 34:21.
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There are similar verses throughout the Bible. But, this verse emphasizes the need to rest “even during plowing time and harvest”.
Most of us are not farmers, but we should not quickly dismiss this verse because we do not plow nor harvest. Rather, we should accept this language as figurative language meaning that we need to rest on Sunday even during busy work times.
For example, I remember being convicted during law school that I should rest on Sunday even during exam time. Even if an exam fell on a Monday, I trusted God that I should not study on Sunday. I did not try to excuse studying on Sunday by thinking that reading a book was not work. Yes, reading some books on Sunday is not work. But, I knew that reading my law books to prepare for an exam was certainly work.
I knew that I could, and I did, prepare in advance for the Monday exam by studying on the days prior to Sunday. And, God blessed me by good grades.
There is express hope even within the command! Let us therefore meditate on the first part of the verse which we often ignore: “You shall work six days”.
And, there is more hope!
The fruit of the Spirit produces peace, patience, and self-control within us. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23.
Consider that peace reduces and eliminates stress. Consider that patience reduces and eliminates anxiety. Consider that self-control reduces and eliminates outbursts of frantic work on Sunday.
“But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16.
“This is what the LORD says:
“Guard justice and do righteousness,
For My salvation is about to come
And My righteousness to be revealed.
2 Blessed is a man who does this,
And a son of man who takes hold of it;
Who keeps from profaning the Sabbath,
And keeps his hand from doing any evil.” Isaiah 56:1-2.
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 