His Goodness Found: A “Sabbath REST”
“Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts.
(Genesis 2: 1-2 NASB)
By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.”
We place so much significance on finishing a work, completing a task, and ending a job. It is a truth, so many people speak less about the work they do and more about what the time will look like once they complete their work. We speak of holidays, of vacation days, and of stepping away to enjoy a bit of R & R. Truly, we talk to our friends, family, and co-workers about how our life will look different “once we are retired,” & “once we finish working.” Yes, even when we are years away from retirement, we place much emphasis on “working for the weekend.” Therefore, on this holiday set aside to honor our “labor,” I am perplexed & astounded by the “WORK” the Creator did! Yes, that’s right. I find myself contemplating: What did it look like on THAT DAY when God finished His work?
“and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.”
(Genesis 2: 2b NASB)
When pondering all the work which the Creator of the universe did, it is natural to first consider the word—DONE—and all the words that stand in similarity to this particular word. So, after a simple search of the word, it was amazing to find the vast list of 120 words that are synonymous with the word that means to be “done” with a work. Before going further, see the short list. COMPLETED means:
- To be Over with a job.
- Accomplished.
- Consummated.
- Polished.
- Fulfilled.
- Executed.
- Finalized.
- Perfected.
- Realized.
- Achieved.
- Closed out.
- Wound up.
- Closed.
- Concluded.
- Wrapped up.
- Finished.
- Kaput.
- Done.
Now Imagine:
- Imagine the world as it looked when it was totally brand new.
- Imagine the heavens and earth when they were so new they had an “untouched” look.
- Imagine God’s thoughts as He finished His work.
- Imagine how perfect the world was when God first completed His work.
Certainly, Just imagine.
While it is true, when we have work, we look forward to the completion of the task because no one wants to work seven days, twenty-four hours of every day. We crave rest. & We desire to be “done” with our work. & We seek opportunities to be “work-free” time.
Thus, today, on the day when we celebrate a day of rest from our work, a day “off” work, & a “work-free” day, I wonder: What did God look forward to once His work was completed?
“Thus the heavens and the earth were completed, and all their hosts.
(Genesis 2: 1-2a NASB)
By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, . . .”
- What were God’s thoughts as He looked at all the work He had completed after He had proclaimed it all “Good”?
- What does God need for us to learn from reading the details about God’s work recorded in Genesis 2: 1-2?
“and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done.”
(Genesis 2: 2b NASB)
REST.
SHALOM.
A SABBATH REST.
QUIET PEACE.
It is a truth that God values the work He gives us to do. &
It is accurate that God knows we can become “workaholics” when left on our own.
- God knows us so well; He made us.
- God knows this clay-frame He fashioned.
- God knows that left to our own management; we will crack under the strain of “too much work” & “too little rest.”
Thankfully, God does not ever leave us alone to figure out what’s best for us. It is God’s desire that we know Him, and as we walk within His will, doing the work He has for us to accomplish, our Father will reveal within His Word all that He wants us to know.
May we be good stewards with what God has given us.
&
May we be good students in what God is teaching us.
His Goodness Is Found Within: A “Sabbath REST”
Thankfully, a “Sabbath REST” can be found within every single day of the week, as well as at the end of the week.
Thankfully, a “Sabbath REST” provided by our Father gifts us with a full-day of rest away from our work.
Thankfully, a “Sabbath REST” is God’s work that He has completed within each person who receives Jesus, the Son of God, as their Savior.
- Thank You God for Your “Sabbath REST.”
- Thank You, Father, that only in You can we find “Completion.”
May we find “rest” in our thankfulness in “all His work which He had done.”
May we find “assurance” that God will “complete” His good work in us.
May we find “comfort” remembering how God’s work is “done” in us once He brings us home to heaven.
“Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.”
(Genesis 2: 3 NASB)