Read: Psalm 23:1-2 (NIV)
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters.”
“He makes me lie down in green pastures.” The verb here is intentional. It’s not a suggestion, it’s a command. Think of a farmer gently guiding his sheep to a safe place to rest, or a good parent insisting their child take a nap. God knows what’s best for us, and sometimes, the best thing for us is to be forced to slow down and rest.
The Sabbath is part of the Ten Commandments for a reason. God expects us to rest, just as He did after creating the universe. He blessed the seventh day and made it holy, and He wants us to share in His holiness. As Marcus Bockmuehl wrote, this “hallowing (making holy) of our time…is the punctuation of a life with God.”
Some might look at the Old Testament and see the harsh consequences for breaking the Sabbath, like the man stoned for gathering sticks, and think it’s too severe. But this act showed a deep disrespect for God’s command and provision. It reminds us that God takes His commandments seriously, because they are for our own good. They are a reflection of His character and a path to a life of holiness.
Pray: Lord, thank you for commanding us to rest. Forgive us for our rebellion and for thinking we know better than you. Help us to willingly enter into your rest, trusting that you are our good shepherd who knows exactly what we need. Amen.
