2023 Fasting Devotional

Author: Sabrina Botts

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.  And on the seventh day God finished his work…, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work…”.

Genesis 2:1-3

For me, rest, in general, can be a difficult concept to grasp.  Logically, I understand what it means to rest, but transparently, I don’t give rest and relaxation the same value that I assign to work.  For me, there is nothing more significant than executing good work. This mindset can be an incredible asset for accomplishing tasks, being productive, and achieving goals; however, lately,  I am experiencing some ‘side effects’ of this constant ‘go’ lifestyle. It’s an exhausting lifestyle to always be continually needing to accomplish something.  I find that I am still able to achieve goals, but my quality of life is beginning to suffer. 

This has me wondering if this mindset is the one that God intended for my life? Am I dishonoring God by not prioritizing rest and relaxation?  It brings me to explore the biblical concept of “Sabbath” and how God intended for it to be lived out in our lives as modern-day Christians.

Consider the above passage, Genesis 2:1-3.  God did an incredible work in six days, but on the seventh day, he chose to rest. Why is that? Some biblical scholars note that God’s resting signified that his work was complete, leaving no need to continue working. This is an obvious truth, but the importance and weight of Sabbath goes beyond that. As we look through scripture we see that God’s action to rest becomes a pattern for his children to follow.

The first time we see Sabbath ‘instituted’ for his people was from the very beginning of when they became God’s people.  Exodus shows us that once God led the children of Israel out of Egypt, fulfilling the promise to make them into a people for his own, the Sabbath was included in the commandments given at Mt. Sinai (Exodus 20:8-11).  In fact, it was so critical that it applied to them, their children, their families, animals and even visitors in the land. Additionally, note that in Leviticus 25:1-7 they were even commanded to give their land a Sabbath year.  If we look closely, I think the reason will begin to emerge.

Notice, in Leviticus 25:3-4 God says to give their land a complete rest.  “For six years sow your fields, and for six years prune your vineyards and gather your crops. But in the seventh year the land is to have a sabbath of rest, a sabbath to the LORD. Do not sow your fields or prune your vineyards.” This means that for an entire year, they were not to put in any work to bring about a harvest; no tilling, no pruning and he gave an added command for them not to store up what grew the six years prior to the Sabbath year. I can’t imagine what it was like to be an agricultural society, solely dependent on crops for food and for livelihood, and every seven years you are commanded to not plant, prune or harvest any crops for an entire year.  To make matters worse, you can’t even store up a food supply for the year that you can’t work! 

But notice, in verse 6, they were allowed to eat whatever grew on its own during the 7^th year.  Grow on its own?  Without any help from the landowner? Without fertilizing, pulling weeds, fighting pests, providing water?  Yes, God was inviting them to watch, and see what He alone could do for them.  See, Sabbath highlights an important principle that is critical for us to remember today.  Sabbath is not about the prohibition to work, or the commandment of inactivity, Sabbath is about trust and ownership. 

Often the fruit of our labor can confuse us into believing that we are our own source.  We have been blessed abundantly with material and physical gifts, and many of us are blessed to use those gifts to accomplish great things in the earth that reap financial rewards, enjoyable employment, accolades, and success.  However, when we Sabbath, it forces us to push back, take our hands off and remember our true source. 

When we recognize God as our true source, then it is much easier to ask Him to assist us, to provide for us and to look to Him for a solution when things do not go as expected.  Sabbath is our reminder to trust God with our growth, prosperity, and financial futures rather than doing it at any cost to us and our families. It forces us to trust Him to grow our ministries, build our families, improve our health and cultivate our hearts as we work, watch, and wait. God alone is our provider. This gift of sabbath helps us to rightly relate to Him in every area of our lives. For that, we are truly made better, and God is indeed glorified. 

PRAYER

Father, I am learning how to trust You and see You as my true and only Source.  Thank you for commanding me to rest.  To take my hands off of the driving wheel of my life, and let You step in and take over.  May Sabbath not simply be a day for me, but make Sabbath a lifestyle.  Remind me that in all of my labor, You are the One who produces every result.  By the strength of Your Strong Name, I pray. Amen.

DAILY SPIRITUAL EXERCISE

I challenge you today to sit before these scriptures and ask God to speak to you about the areas of your life that need the concept of Sabbath.  Is it in your career? Your family? Your ministry? Some other thing? Are you able to trust God with it in such a way that you can push back and leave the results to Him?