Happy Sabbath to all!
I wanted to put together some personal reflections concerning the unusual time we are in.
Viruses have come and gone in the past. There has been sickness and sadly death, but we have never, in my 68 years, had a shut down like we have with the current plague.
It is hard to imagine how quickly we arrived where we are at today.
Consider that the Dow Jones Industrial Average hit 29,551.42 on Feb. 12, 2020. The world was fairly stable on that day. The COVID-19 virus was in the news, but it was primarily on the other side of the world.
Six weeks later the Dow Jones Average closed at 21,413.44. A most significant drop in 6 weeks. When you consider a 30% drop in that economic barometer that is an indication of a lot wealth that is gone. Will the stock market come back over time?
Companies are closing, laying off, cutting salaries and people are worried about how they will survive economically after we get past the impact of the virus. Which companies will survive the carnage and who will have jobs?
Huge stimulus bills have been passed. One bill was 2 trillion. What will be the long-term impact of such a huge spending bill? Will that 2 trillion solve our woes or will more be needed? What will the tax bill be after this is over?
Will the virus burn out with the heat of summer? Or will it come back in a more virulent form at some point in the future.
It is amazing how quickly governments have intervened to take control or try to take control of the situation. Is this the shape of things to come as to how the sinister forces at the end of the age will impose their authority over nations and people?
Most astounding of all, in my opinion, we may not have much of a baseball season if we have one at all.
The bottom line is there is currently a lot of uncertainty. None of us knows exactly what lies on the other side of the COVID-19 virus. At present, uncertainty is a worldwide condition. Uncertainty is fundamental to the world in which we live apart from God and it always will be.
But we through God and His word can see beyond all of the current upheaval and uncertainty. God offers us certainty and stability.
Consider the Sabbath. It comes every seventh day. That is a certainty. We are reassured by the Sabbath that God’s plan to usher in a time of rest is coming.
Consider the Passover. The Passover comes every year and, at that memorial, we renew our covenant with God and Jesus Christ. We are reassured that we are forgiven of our sins and stand justly before God.
Additionally, as we keep the Days of Unleavened Bread, we are assured that just as God intervened to save Israel out of Egypt, God is going to save us from this uncertain world and just as He led Israel to the promised land He will lead us to the eternal life in His kingdom.
Consider Paul’s reassurance in Romans 8:38-39: “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Enjoy the certainty and reassurance of God’s Sabbath’s and Holy Days.
Gary Smith
Showing posts with label Holy Day. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Holy Day. Show all posts
Friday, April 3, 2020
Friday, May 26, 2017
Pass It On
We are a week from Pentecost so it would seem appropriate to address this week’s Sabbath Thought to a topic that relates to that Holy Day.
In the example of Paul and Timothy we have a wonderful example of how the legacy of the truth is passed along to others.
On Paul’s first journey to spread the gospel of the Kingdom of God one of the locations that he visited was the area of Galatia. Three of the cities in this region were Derbe, Lystra, and Iconium. There Paul came upon a young man named Timothy.
Luke wrote of this encounter in Acts 16:1-3, “Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.” Timothy stood out in a positive way that Paul could clearly see.
How was it that Timothy became a disciple and showed his maturity by being recognized by the brethren? Paul mentions the origin of Timothy’s faith in 2 Timothy 1:5, “. . . when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.” Timothy became a disciple as a result of the teaching and example of his grandmother and his mother. They paved the way for Paul to find a young man who was already progressing in God’s way of life and was capable of serving with Paul in his ministry.
Paul continued to help Timothy develop as a disciple and servant in the church by taking him under his wing. 2 Timothy 3:10 “But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra — what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
In essence, we are being told that Paul took what he had learned from Jesus Christ, from the word of God, and from his own experiences and passed them on to Timothy.
Hopefully, we as members of the church can make the same type of contribution Paul, Lois and Eunice made to Timothy. We have learned God’s ways from family, friends, and most importantly the Bible. Will we make the effort to pass what we have learned along to the next generation? It is a crucial role God has called upon us to play.
Have a most pleasant Sabbath,
Gary Smith
In the example of Paul and Timothy we have a wonderful example of how the legacy of the truth is passed along to others.
On Paul’s first journey to spread the gospel of the Kingdom of God one of the locations that he visited was the area of Galatia. Three of the cities in this region were Derbe, Lystra, and Iconium. There Paul came upon a young man named Timothy.
Luke wrote of this encounter in Acts 16:1-3, “Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who believed, but his father was Greek. He was well spoken of by the brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium.” Timothy stood out in a positive way that Paul could clearly see.
How was it that Timothy became a disciple and showed his maturity by being recognized by the brethren? Paul mentions the origin of Timothy’s faith in 2 Timothy 1:5, “. . . when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.” Timothy became a disciple as a result of the teaching and example of his grandmother and his mother. They paved the way for Paul to find a young man who was already progressing in God’s way of life and was capable of serving with Paul in his ministry.
Paul continued to help Timothy develop as a disciple and servant in the church by taking him under his wing. 2 Timothy 3:10 “But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra — what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
In essence, we are being told that Paul took what he had learned from Jesus Christ, from the word of God, and from his own experiences and passed them on to Timothy.
Hopefully, we as members of the church can make the same type of contribution Paul, Lois and Eunice made to Timothy. We have learned God’s ways from family, friends, and most importantly the Bible. Will we make the effort to pass what we have learned along to the next generation? It is a crucial role God has called upon us to play.
Have a most pleasant Sabbath,
Gary Smith
Friday, October 7, 2016
We Can Change The World
In this week’s Sabbath Thought, I would like to reflect on a flash from the past. The topic came to mind as I listened to a 1971 song by Graham Nash entitled, Chicago|We Can Change the World.
The song focuses on the 1968 Democratic National Convention and the trial of the Chicago Eight who were accused of inciting the rioting that took place at that time.
So your brother's bound and gagged
And they've chained him to a chair
Won't you please come to Chicago just to sing?
In a land that's known as freedom
How can such a thing be fair?
Won't you please come to Chicago for the help that we can bring?
The first stanza addresses one of the accused inciters of riot being bound and gagged because of repeated outbursts during the trial. This was considered to be an act of brutality incompatible with “a land that’s known as freedom.”
The call is then issued for all who disagree with such actions by the government to come to Chicago to turn the world around. The belief in the betterment of the world through man’s concerted efforts is expressed in the chorus:
We can change the world
Rearrange the world
It's dying
To get better
Yes, we can change the world
(Rearrange) Rearrange the world (It's dying)
If you believe in justice (It's dying)
And if you believe in freedom (It's dying)
Let a man live his own life (It's dying)
Rules and regulations, who needs them?
Open up the door
When I heard this song, I was moved by its message of bringing a change to the world. Even prior to coming into the knowledge of the truth, I knew the world had some serious problems. However, being ignorant of the reality of human nature (Romans 8:6-8), I did not realize that changing the world was only a fantasy.
Men can have high-minded ideals about bringing changes to the world, but how have those efforts of worked out? If you examine the history of the various revolutions of the 20th century—the Bolshevik overthrow of the czar; Mao Tse Tung’s rise in China, Pol Pot in Cambodia—the death toll and suffering is immense.
Even if one examines the American Revolution and the establishment of the United States, what is its condition in 2016? Our nation has lost its way morally and financially and we are not going to turn it around.
The bottom line is that apart from God nothing is going to change for the better. Man cannot through his own mind and ability change himself or the world.
Thankfully, our God is fully aware of the world’s horrible condition and it is His desire to change the world from top to bottom. In fact, God is already on the job of changing the world as He works with the firstfruits of salvation to create His Holy righteous character in those whom He has called.
God has called us to keep the Holy Days of the seventh month to impress upon us that the coming of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the saints to eternal life, the binding of Satan, the thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ, and resurrection of all who have never known God or His plan of salvation is right
on course. Everything related to these days will be played out in the near future.
It is in that time, as God powerfully intervenes in this world, that our dying world will be changed permanently for the better.
The knowledge of the playing out of God’s plan is a perfect focal point as we enjoy God’s Sabbath day and look forward to the Holy Days ahead.
Good Sabbath to all!
Gary Smith
The song focuses on the 1968 Democratic National Convention and the trial of the Chicago Eight who were accused of inciting the rioting that took place at that time.
So your brother's bound and gagged
And they've chained him to a chair
Won't you please come to Chicago just to sing?
In a land that's known as freedom
How can such a thing be fair?
Won't you please come to Chicago for the help that we can bring?
The first stanza addresses one of the accused inciters of riot being bound and gagged because of repeated outbursts during the trial. This was considered to be an act of brutality incompatible with “a land that’s known as freedom.”
The call is then issued for all who disagree with such actions by the government to come to Chicago to turn the world around. The belief in the betterment of the world through man’s concerted efforts is expressed in the chorus:
We can change the world
Rearrange the world
It's dying
To get better
Yes, we can change the world
(Rearrange) Rearrange the world (It's dying)
If you believe in justice (It's dying)
And if you believe in freedom (It's dying)
Let a man live his own life (It's dying)
Rules and regulations, who needs them?
Open up the door
When I heard this song, I was moved by its message of bringing a change to the world. Even prior to coming into the knowledge of the truth, I knew the world had some serious problems. However, being ignorant of the reality of human nature (Romans 8:6-8), I did not realize that changing the world was only a fantasy.
Men can have high-minded ideals about bringing changes to the world, but how have those efforts of worked out? If you examine the history of the various revolutions of the 20th century—the Bolshevik overthrow of the czar; Mao Tse Tung’s rise in China, Pol Pot in Cambodia—the death toll and suffering is immense.
Even if one examines the American Revolution and the establishment of the United States, what is its condition in 2016? Our nation has lost its way morally and financially and we are not going to turn it around.
The bottom line is that apart from God nothing is going to change for the better. Man cannot through his own mind and ability change himself or the world.
Thankfully, our God is fully aware of the world’s horrible condition and it is His desire to change the world from top to bottom. In fact, God is already on the job of changing the world as He works with the firstfruits of salvation to create His Holy righteous character in those whom He has called.
God has called us to keep the Holy Days of the seventh month to impress upon us that the coming of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the saints to eternal life, the binding of Satan, the thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ, and resurrection of all who have never known God or His plan of salvation is right
on course. Everything related to these days will be played out in the near future.
It is in that time, as God powerfully intervenes in this world, that our dying world will be changed permanently for the better.
The knowledge of the playing out of God’s plan is a perfect focal point as we enjoy God’s Sabbath day and look forward to the Holy Days ahead.
Good Sabbath to all!
Gary Smith
Friday, September 23, 2016
The Right Approach to God’s Feast Days
Since the Holy Days will be observed shortly, I thought it would be valuable to consider the right approach to God’s Feast Days.
Isaiah states, “Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; give ear to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah: "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?" says the Lord. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs or goats” (Isaiah 1:10-11). Isaiah’s statement seems odd in light of the fact that God directed Israel to offer various sacrifices.
The prophet condemns the people of Judah and Jerusalem for their sacrifices. Has God suddenly changed His mind about sacrifices or is there another reason why God inspired Isaiah 1:10-11?
Apparently, the people were quite diligent in making sacrifices and offerings at the temple. They offered and sacrificed large numbers of animals. However, God is not pleased with what they were offering because their approach is wrong. What is wrong with their approach? Before addressing what was wrong with their sacrifices, let’s examine what more God has to say.
"When you come to appear before Me, who has required this from your hand, to trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies —I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; they are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. (Isaiah 1:12-15).
It should be noted that where they were falling short in coming before God is explained by understanding what is meant by “to trample my courts”. Barnes’ Notes states, “To tread his courts was an expression therefore, equivalent to, to worship. To tread the courts of the Lord here, has the idea of profanation. Who has required you to tread those courts with this hollow, heartless service? It is often used in the sense of treading down, or trampling on” (from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
Why are Judah’s sacrifices futile? Sadly, it has to do with their sinfulness. They offered sacrifices and offerings, burned incense, gathered for the Sabbath and Holy Days, and offered up an abundance of prayers. They were religious while still practicing sin. There was no humility, recognition of sin, or repentance.
The sacrificial system had ceased to serve its purpose of focusing the people on God and the need for righteousness. The people are religious but it is form without substance (2 Timothy 3:5).
The point here is that the character of the people had degenerated to the point that the manner in which they keep the Sabbath and religious festivals had become offensive to God. Their attitudes and approach had so degenerated that the Holy Day observances were hardly recognizable to God as having originated with Him. They were no longer His feasts, but the wayward people's feasts. Indeed, besides observing God's true festivals in a wrong manner and attitude, Israel had even instituted its own substitute holidays and participated in pagan observances.
Because of the people's defiance, we see that God has ceased listening to their prayers.
What is the lesson for the 21st century Christian? The lesson is that God has instructed us to make sacrifices and offerings, to attend the Holy Days, and to offer up prayers, but our attendance or giving an offering is not the most important thing. We can do all of those commanded things while continuing in sin and not walking humbly before God. Unless our heart is right, we are wasting God’s time and our time as well.
What is most important is the condition of our heart. King David came to understand this point and reflect that understanding in his prayer of repentance in Psalms 51:16-17, “For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart — these, O God, You will not despise.”
As we come before God in prayer, on a Sabbath or Holy Day, God looks at our heart. Are we coming before Him in humility, in repentance, in joy and in gratefulness?
If we prepare our heart to seek our God, then He will accept our sacrifices and offering. He will hear our prayers. And He will be most glad that we are honoring Him through the Sabbath and Holy Days
.
As the Holy Days of the seventh month begin, we must take time to look at our spiritual condition and acknowledge our need for God in our lives. With that right approach, we can be assured God will be glad we honor Him at the Feast.
Gary Smith
Isaiah states, “Hear the word of the Lord, you rulers of Sodom; give ear to the law of our God, you people of Gomorrah: "To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?" says the Lord. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs or goats” (Isaiah 1:10-11). Isaiah’s statement seems odd in light of the fact that God directed Israel to offer various sacrifices.
The prophet condemns the people of Judah and Jerusalem for their sacrifices. Has God suddenly changed His mind about sacrifices or is there another reason why God inspired Isaiah 1:10-11?
Apparently, the people were quite diligent in making sacrifices and offerings at the temple. They offered and sacrificed large numbers of animals. However, God is not pleased with what they were offering because their approach is wrong. What is wrong with their approach? Before addressing what was wrong with their sacrifices, let’s examine what more God has to say.
"When you come to appear before Me, who has required this from your hand, to trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies —I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; they are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. (Isaiah 1:12-15).
It should be noted that where they were falling short in coming before God is explained by understanding what is meant by “to trample my courts”. Barnes’ Notes states, “To tread his courts was an expression therefore, equivalent to, to worship. To tread the courts of the Lord here, has the idea of profanation. Who has required you to tread those courts with this hollow, heartless service? It is often used in the sense of treading down, or trampling on” (from Barnes' Notes, Electronic Database Copyright © 1997, 2003, 2005, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)
Why are Judah’s sacrifices futile? Sadly, it has to do with their sinfulness. They offered sacrifices and offerings, burned incense, gathered for the Sabbath and Holy Days, and offered up an abundance of prayers. They were religious while still practicing sin. There was no humility, recognition of sin, or repentance.
The sacrificial system had ceased to serve its purpose of focusing the people on God and the need for righteousness. The people are religious but it is form without substance (2 Timothy 3:5).
The point here is that the character of the people had degenerated to the point that the manner in which they keep the Sabbath and religious festivals had become offensive to God. Their attitudes and approach had so degenerated that the Holy Day observances were hardly recognizable to God as having originated with Him. They were no longer His feasts, but the wayward people's feasts. Indeed, besides observing God's true festivals in a wrong manner and attitude, Israel had even instituted its own substitute holidays and participated in pagan observances.
Because of the people's defiance, we see that God has ceased listening to their prayers.
What is the lesson for the 21st century Christian? The lesson is that God has instructed us to make sacrifices and offerings, to attend the Holy Days, and to offer up prayers, but our attendance or giving an offering is not the most important thing. We can do all of those commanded things while continuing in sin and not walking humbly before God. Unless our heart is right, we are wasting God’s time and our time as well.
What is most important is the condition of our heart. King David came to understand this point and reflect that understanding in his prayer of repentance in Psalms 51:16-17, “For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart — these, O God, You will not despise.”
As we come before God in prayer, on a Sabbath or Holy Day, God looks at our heart. Are we coming before Him in humility, in repentance, in joy and in gratefulness?
If we prepare our heart to seek our God, then He will accept our sacrifices and offering. He will hear our prayers. And He will be most glad that we are honoring Him through the Sabbath and Holy Days
.
As the Holy Days of the seventh month begin, we must take time to look at our spiritual condition and acknowledge our need for God in our lives. With that right approach, we can be assured God will be glad we honor Him at the Feast.
Gary Smith
Friday, January 16, 2015
Our Words Reflect How Much We Value The Sabbath Day
On the Sabbath, one of the chief blessings we have as Christians is to be able to fellowship. Fundamental to our fellowshipping with one another is conversation. Our conversations range from the weather, to how our week went. We share our ups, downs, and concerns. We discuss our jobs, sports, and our families.
However, does everything that we discuss promote keeping the Sabbath holy?
I think many times we discuss whatever comes to mind and we don’t stop to think: Do my words honor God and the Sabbath day?
The words we use are important to our relationship with God. Note what Christ said concerning the words we use, “Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man" (Matthew 15:11). Our words can defile us and as we use words that cause defilement, on the Sabbath or not, we sin against God.
Christ also said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). Christ’s words would seem to indicate that our words reflect what we value. In the context of the Sabbath, it appears that our words define that in which we find pleasure, that which we honor and in which we take delight. Hence, if we value the Sabbath then our words will reflect the fact that we find pleasure in the Sabbath above our own pleasure. Our words would reflect the delight we have in the Sabbath day and they would honor “the Lord of the Sabbath.”
As we go to Sabbath services, one of the delights of God’s holy time is to converse with people of like mind. We might stop to think about our conversations and ask ourselves, “Am I speaking my own words? Or am I speaking words that honor God on the Sabbath day?”
One suggestion for honoring God on the Sabbath is to ask, “What have you been studying this past week?” Hopefully this question will stimulate conversation concerning God and His word. Such words will be most pleasing to God on the Sabbath.
Enjoy the Sabbath day,
Gary Smith
However, does everything that we discuss promote keeping the Sabbath holy?
I think many times we discuss whatever comes to mind and we don’t stop to think: Do my words honor God and the Sabbath day?
The words we use are important to our relationship with God. Note what Christ said concerning the words we use, “Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man" (Matthew 15:11). Our words can defile us and as we use words that cause defilement, on the Sabbath or not, we sin against God.
Christ also said, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34). Christ’s words would seem to indicate that our words reflect what we value. In the context of the Sabbath, it appears that our words define that in which we find pleasure, that which we honor and in which we take delight. Hence, if we value the Sabbath then our words will reflect the fact that we find pleasure in the Sabbath above our own pleasure. Our words would reflect the delight we have in the Sabbath day and they would honor “the Lord of the Sabbath.”
As we go to Sabbath services, one of the delights of God’s holy time is to converse with people of like mind. We might stop to think about our conversations and ask ourselves, “Am I speaking my own words? Or am I speaking words that honor God on the Sabbath day?”
One suggestion for honoring God on the Sabbath is to ask, “What have you been studying this past week?” Hopefully this question will stimulate conversation concerning God and His word. Such words will be most pleasing to God on the Sabbath.
Enjoy the Sabbath day,
Gary Smith
Friday, January 2, 2015
Are My Ways Pleasing to God on the Sabbath Day?
In Isaiah 58:13, the prophet begins the verse with, “If you turn your foot away from the Sabbath. . . .” In speaking of “your foot” and “the Sabbath” he is signaling to his hearers that they were in fact trampling upon the Sabbath in the way that they were observing it. While they may have recognized the Sabbath to a degree, they were showing by their actions and words that they did not take delight in the Sabbath.
Isaiah tells us that the Sabbath is a “holy day” a period of time from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday that God has made holy, through His setting apart the time, for man’s benefit. We are to honor God by the way we approach the Sabbath.
God inspired Isaiah to elaborate on how we honor God on the Sabbath. He says, “You shall honor Him.” God’s expectation on the Sabbath is that we would honor Him by certain things we would do and say.
It is easy for us to adhere to the time frame of the Sabbath. The Sabbath begins and ends at sunset so we are usually aware of when the sun goes below the horizon on Friday night and when it goes below the horizon Saturday night. We also know that we are to go to church services each week. However, God is looking for more from us on the Sabbath than the bare minimum.
He goes on to explain how we can truly honor God on the Sabbath day. We honor Him by not doing our own ways. In the context of “not doing our own ways”, we might consider a well-known Proverb, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
Proverbs 14:12 is a warning to us that our ways can seem right to us from our human perspective. They seem right to us because we are selfish and what we selfishly want to do leads to death because God has been left out of the picture.
As we consider giving honor to God by “not doing our own ways” on the Sabbath, we might consider another passage found in Isaiah 55:8-9, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."
We can only come to understand God’s thoughts and ways as we humble ourselves before God ask a couple of simple questions:
As we answer these two questions there is a most positive outcome which is described in the next two verses in Isaiah 55, “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (10-11).
God made the Sabbath for man in order that his ways will not only be pleasing to God on the Sabbath, but throughout the rest of the week as well.
Enjoy the upcoming Sabbath day and consider, “Are my ways pleasing to God on the Sabbath day?”
Gary Smith
Isaiah tells us that the Sabbath is a “holy day” a period of time from sunset Friday to sunset Saturday that God has made holy, through His setting apart the time, for man’s benefit. We are to honor God by the way we approach the Sabbath.
God inspired Isaiah to elaborate on how we honor God on the Sabbath. He says, “You shall honor Him.” God’s expectation on the Sabbath is that we would honor Him by certain things we would do and say.
It is easy for us to adhere to the time frame of the Sabbath. The Sabbath begins and ends at sunset so we are usually aware of when the sun goes below the horizon on Friday night and when it goes below the horizon Saturday night. We also know that we are to go to church services each week. However, God is looking for more from us on the Sabbath than the bare minimum.
He goes on to explain how we can truly honor God on the Sabbath day. We honor Him by not doing our own ways. In the context of “not doing our own ways”, we might consider a well-known Proverb, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.”
Proverbs 14:12 is a warning to us that our ways can seem right to us from our human perspective. They seem right to us because we are selfish and what we selfishly want to do leads to death because God has been left out of the picture.
As we consider giving honor to God by “not doing our own ways” on the Sabbath, we might consider another passage found in Isaiah 55:8-9, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts."
We can only come to understand God’s thoughts and ways as we humble ourselves before God ask a couple of simple questions:
- What are God’s thoughts and God’s ways? They are revealed in the scriptures.
- Are my thoughts and my ways pleasing to God?
As we answer these two questions there is a most positive outcome which is described in the next two verses in Isaiah 55, “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (10-11).
God made the Sabbath for man in order that his ways will not only be pleasing to God on the Sabbath, but throughout the rest of the week as well.
Enjoy the upcoming Sabbath day and consider, “Are my ways pleasing to God on the Sabbath day?”
Gary Smith
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