2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Genesis 35:1-36:43 ESV, Matthew 12:1-21 ESV, Psalm 15:1-5 ESV, Proverbs 3:21-26 ESV
Daily Verse: “At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat.” (Matthew 12:1 ESV)
SABBATON (4521): “Day of weekly repose from secular avocations. The root means “to cease, desist.” The double “b” has an intensive force, implying a complete cessation or a making to cease, probably the former. The idea is not that of relaxation or refreshment, but cessation from activity.”[i]
Stop the routine.
Sabbath means “to cease, desist.” One day a week, God wants us to stop our regular routine and rest. Long ago, Blue Laws existed in the United States “prohibiting certain activities, such as shopping on Sunday.”[ii] Even though the Supreme Court ruled Blue Laws as Constitutional, state courts struck down the laws, making them unenforceable. Interesting how companies who choose to close on Sunday profit.
Chick-Fil-A continues to thrive in tough economic times, even though the company closes on Sundays. In 2020, the company reported an increase of 13% over 2019 revenue.[iii] Meanwhile, McDonald’s revenue declined 1.3% in the same period.[iv] Never do I see the lines at McDonald’s like I do Chick-Fil-A. In 2020, during COVID, a friend and I waited over a half-hour in the drive-thru at Chick-Fil-A to get lunch.
Enjoy a day of rest.
Stop your normal activities one day a week, experience how it changes your life. Because Chick-Fil-A enforces the Sabbath, their entire working community enjoys a day off together. No one worries about what’s going on at work when everyone has the day off. They save money with reduced overhead and have a healthier work environment because of their commitment to God’s word.
Taking a Sabbath made the top ten. Third in the list of commandments, “Remember to keep holy the Sabbath day” (Exodus 20:8 ESV). God knows we need a break from the routine. A day set aside to reconnect with our Maker, a date night with God. Like couples with healthy relationships set aside time for each other, we need to do the same with God. Developing more beneficial relationships requires intentionality.
Become intentional in your relationship with God. Set aside one day a week to cease and desist your everyday routine. Make a date with God and keep it. Begin to experience life change as you learn to rest.
[i] Strong, J., & Strong, J. (2010). The New Strong’s expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. (p. 222) Thomas Nelson
[ii]https://www.google.com/search?q=blue+laws+definition&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS918US918&oq=blue+laws&aqs=chrome.2.69i57j0i512l9.5126j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
[iii] https://www.restfinance.com/restaurant-finance-across-america/chick-fil-a-reports-record-revenue-and-profits-in-2020-despite-covid-19-pandemic/article_26ec54da-9b30-11eb-a0b5-dfff0ec78fa7.html#:~:text=Revenue%20was%20%244.3%20billion%20in,versus%20%24897%20million%20in%202019.
[iv] https://www.businessinsider.com/mcdonalds-earnings-revenue-fourth-quarter-annual-2020-income-earning-2021-1
