My daughter asked me why we celebrate Labor Day. I knew that it was to honor Americans, including immigrants and children, who worked long hours in terrible conditions for measly pay. But beyond that, I couldn’t really answer her question. Google tells me that Labor Day was signed by President Grover Cleveland in 1894 as “an attempt to repair ties with American workers”. Lord, thank you for the backs who carried our nation through the industrial revolution.
Yet at the same time we find it difficult to accept the idea of taking a day of rest each week as designed and commanded by our creator. The word Sabbath literally means “to rest from labor”. It is tempting to disregard the Sabbath for one reason or another. It is true that Jesus said “the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath”, and if you are working for the Kingdom of God on Saturday or Sunday, then please try to take a Sabbath on a different day. But if you are not honoring the Sabbath, then I invite you to consider this warning from Jeremiah 17:27:
But if you do not obey me to keep the Sabbath day holy by [working] on the Sabbath, then I will kindle an unquenchable fire in [your nation] that will consume her [strength].
To God, honoring the Sabbath isn’t just about rest. It’s actually an expression of trust and obedience. God wants to bless you with rest, if you will trust in Him more than yourself. Exodus 16:21-27
