Keeping The Sabbath Holy

If there is only one true God, and I believe that to be true, then He has all authority. He has the right to do what He wills, command what He wants and require what He desires.  He does not mince words. He says what He means and means what He says.

For the life of me I do not understand the blatant disregard for His word. He gives commands not suggestions.

Exodus 20:8 (NASB) 
⁸  "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Six days we are given to work, recreate and entertain ourselves. One days is a holy day. That means one day is supposed to be set apart, sacred and consecrated. One day is devoted to worship and to study God's word with God's people. It is a day unlike every other day of the week. How that has changed. 

God's people regularly forsake the Lord's day and treat it as a common day like all the rest. People hunt, fish, shop, sleep in and play ball. Sunday is treated like any other day. Preachers pound the drum of keeping the Sabbath holy but church members ignore such exhortations. There is a subtle peer pressure to keep up with everyone else. 

People hunt and fish on Sundays skipping church hoping to land the big one. Worship services are ignored for another round of golf. Exorbitant fees are paid to secure children spots on select sports teams. Sunday services are regularly neglected in lieu of tournaments. Does anyone stop and contemplate the cost of these things to the souls of people. 

Where is the justification? How can we profess we believe in the authority of God and the authority of His word and continue to violate this command? It happens in churches all over the nation. We treat the Sabbath like it is optional. We certainly do not treat it like it is a holy day unto the Lord. 

Pause and ponder that for a moment. A day holy to the Lord. A day dedicated to God. A day set apart for Him. A day consecrated for deeper communion with Him. 

Neglecting the Sabbath and not treating it has holy is a sign of modern times. Many preachers have thundered against such an unbiblical attitude. I did the same this morning. Nobody listens. Nobody contemplates the end results. 

One father told me once his daughter playing select soccer destroyed her soul in her teen years. A girl I met at camp this past summer told me she used to play select basketball and softball. She never had time to do anything at church and missed out on camps, D'Nows, Wednesday nights and Sunday services. She finally quit on her own for her own good. People got mad at her. She said it was the best thing for her spiritually. 

Skipping church is an epidemic. This is what amazes me. People make extra effort to attend civic organizational meetings. Practices are made no matter how early or late. The prevailing attitude is church attendance is optional. 

So let me ask you to do a little test. How is the condition of your soul? Are you close to God? Are you consistent in your devotions? What about your children? Do you see any fervor for the Lord in them? Do you see them having devotions? Do you or they have a desire to go to the house of the Lord? Do you dread missing corporate worship? Honest answers to those questions might reveal a lot. 

Keep the Sabbath holy. It is God's command. He commands it for our own good. The word Sabbath means "solemn rest." We all could use some rest. On this Sabbath afternoon Brenda is seated next to me napping. Our bodes and souls need rest from the rat race. 

Keep the Sabbath for rest. Keep it holy and set apart to the Lord. That is wha God wills.