In our “hurry up” culture, it is not surprising that the church has largely lost touch with the Sabbath and what it means. Our society is focused on time and how we spend it. We have more time-saving devices than ever before in history and we are probably more in a hurry than any society in history as well. This is not how God wants us to live. Hurry is one of the devil’s main tools to keep us from paying attention to our life with God. So what can we do about it? It’s not about simply changing our external habits. There must be transformation on the inside that only God can accomplish.

Living in God’s Kingdom, practicing obedience to Jesus, leads to the renewed condition of our hearts and hurry has no place in this new life we live with God. There is no way to eliminate hurry as an inner condition of our souls apart from regularly practicing the antidote to hurry. That antidote is found in the third commandment God gave to Moses. Exodus 20:8-10 says, Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor and do your work but the seventh day is a Sabbath of the Lord your God…” By practicing the Sabbath as God prescribes it, we can begin to enter into a less hurried, more God-centered way of living. Consider the passages below as you spend time with God this week.

Remember the Sabbath day; to keep it holy.
● What does God tell us is the reason for the Sabbath day in verse 11?
● How does God describe the Sabbath in this passage?
● What do you consider to be work for you? What kinds of activities would you consider to be different than work?
● How do you typically spend your Sabbath day? Do you give it much thought or is it something you try to observe?
● What do you think God would have you do?

So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.
● What were the disciples doing that made the Pharisees angry?
● What do you think the Pharisees had done to the Sabbath? How had their thinking become warped?
● How does Jesus respond? What does He mean when He says the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath?
● What does He mean by saying He is the Lord of the Sabbath?
● What are some ways we might develop a warped idea of the Sabbath in our own time? How do you think Jesus wants us to practice the Sabbath?

“Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.”
● What had just been taking place in the lives of the disciples?
● Why do you think Jesus said they needed to rest?
● Do you ever feel guilty about taking time off to rest? Why or why not?
● What does this passage tell you about Jesus’ concern for our wellbeing? Do you think He wants you to spend regular time resting?

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”
● Are you weary and heavy-laden? Go to Jesus and let Him give you rest.
● How does coming to Jesus give us rest? From what do you think He wants to give you rest?
● Meditate on this passage. Imagine sitting down next to Jesus and relaxing with Him as you listen to Him speak to you.

Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him.
● Is this something God is calling you to do today? In what ways do you need to rest in Him rather than fretting?
● In what ways do you need to wait patiently for Him?
● What does fretting lead to?
● What would resting in God lead to?

Be still and know that I am God.
● “Be still” can also be translated, “Cease striving,” or “Let go.” How does this statement speak to you today?
● In what ways do you need to cease striving and let go?
● Notice the second part of verse 10. How does this fact give you comfort?
● What would it mean for you to cease striving today?

He restores my soul.
● Spend this Sabbath meditating on Psalm 23. Notice how God leads us into rest and restoration. Let God do that for you today. Ask Him to help you establish a habit of practicing Sabbath in your life.