Every Day A Sunday
The last few days have been a blur. Having successfully completed my first semester of graduate school and accomplished a rather ambitious travel schedule this spring, I finally succumbed to fatigue and got sick. Blundering around with a low fever, aches, cough, and congestion have me asking my family, “what day is it?” Do you know the feeling?
Years ago, when my son was in kindergarten, my Sister came to visit and help with the kids. She had gotten their breakfast that day and went upstairs to check that everyone was making progress getting dressed and ready for school. She found my son sitting on his bed in his pajamas, no doubt singing or humming in blissful oblivion. “What are you supposed to be doing?” she asked. “First of all,” he said, “I don’t even know what day it is!” His complete honesty broke her and she immediately started laughing. It is a story our family often recalls and a line we use frequently!
These days of forced rest imposed on me by illness have me thinking about Sabbath. And, while I know this blog entry is for a Wednesday, my heart landed on Psalm 92 – “A song for the Sabbath Day.”
It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp. For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. How great are your works, O Lord, how profound your thoughts!
Psalm 92:1-5 NIV
This Psalm was traditionally recited in the synagogue on the Sabbath, yet remains both relevant and appropriate for my heart to sing no matter what day it is. Though the psalmist made this personal declaration of praise to the Lord long ago, it is still just as “good” for me to praise the Lord. Indeed, these first five verses of the Psalm not only declare that God is worthy of praise, but are a resolution to praise Him, proclaim His love and faithfulness, and joyfully sing about His great and mighty acts!
Our times of rest are commanded by the Lord, and are a gift from Him (Ex. 20:8, Mark 2:27). Psalm 127:2 says, “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for he grants sleep to those he loves” (NIV). God knows our limitations, our frailty, and included rest as a command. Our rest, however, need not be passive. In fact, resting from our work and worry while focusing on the Lord, has true restorative power.
When we lay down our toil for a time of rest, there is no better path to physical and mental restoration than praising the Lord, singing and proclaiming His greatness, and meditating on his wonderful works. Like the psalmist, I quickly go from resolving to do what is good, to eagerness, gladness, and joy at the remembrance of who God is and what He has done. Rest and worship make perfect partners.
Whatever day it is, we can enjoy the benefits of rest and worship. Setting aside regular time to spend with God reading the Bible, praying, and worshipping keeps our spirit healthy. Just like our physical bodies eventually succumb to sickness when we go too long without appropriate rest, our spirit craves the restoration and edification that God’s presence offers.
Therefore, friends, every day can be a Sabbath. We have a standing invitation from the Lord to be with Him and enjoy the benefits of His presence. Let’s enjoy the rewards that He provides through rest and worship!