In my life, I currently notice some who are leaving behind, who are walking away from, and who are turning toward something new.  Maybe you know some who are doing this too.  As I pause this morning to look at those individuals who are going through this action AND at those things they are walking away from, then I am reminded of God’s goodness for us and how He created a way for us to leave behind, to walk away from, and to turn toward something & toward the One who brings the new way—a refresh, a reboot, a renewal, a rebirth.

Go with me for a time into God’s word to see what the LORD gave the prophet Ezekiel to speak to the Israelites who were in rebellion to God.

• Let us see as we turn to God’s Word the love and forgiveness of God for the rebellious ones against God &
• Let us see how the LORD made a provision, a way for them to return to Him and be useful to God’s will &
• Let us see how through their obedience, we too can now experience what God first gave to them thousands of years ago.

• But the people did not listen to the word of the LORD.
• But the people rebelled.
• But God acted for the sake of His name so that the surrounding nations where they lived would see God as He brought them out of the land of bondage, across the Red Sea, and into the wilderness.
• But the people rebelled, even while walking in freedom, even when not living as slaves, even while in the wilderness walking toward the Promised Land.

What would have taken eleven days took forty years, BUT GOD was faithful to His chosen people, and He brought a remnant, a new generation to the Jordan River, to a first battle of Jericho.

And God did all this because God’s purposes are far greater than man’s rebellious sin!

In my life, I currently notice some who are leaving behind, who are walking away from, and who are turning toward something new.  Maybe you know some who are doing this too.

Today, I wonder:

• What would we like to leave behind us?
• What, if we could, what would we walk away from and turn toward that will be a newness, a breath, a rest, a Sabbath rest?
• Can we be reminded this day of God’s goodness for us?
• Can we see how He created a way for us to leave behind, to walk away from, and to turn toward His Son & His purposes for us His Children?
• Can we also see and be renewed through the renewing of God’s Holy Spirit?
• Can we THIS DAY?

I read this statement, words that aptly apply to this discussion:  “If we refuse rest until we are finished, we will never rest until we die.”—Wayne Muller

Ouch!  That stepped all over me;  I have been so guilty of saying, “I’ll rest when I die.”

So, what do we need to stop (doing)?

What do we need to cease and rest from during this season of life?

What do we need to “hit the pause button on” & “take a break from” & “go off duty from” & “get some rest (from)”?

• Shall we take action now—OR—Shall we wait until we are dead?
• Shall we receive God’s goodness found through His Sabbath—OR—Shall we rebel?
• Shall we be recharged, renewed, and rejoice in our LORD’S good gift of His Sabbath rest—OR—Shall we continue on until we burn-out or break down?

HOLY GOD always knew, from the beginning of time, what we needed, so He demonstrated during His creation of the world and everything in it that a Sabbath Rest is necessary!

God did this to help us!

God did this to remind us!

GOD DID!