Did you know that the United States Post Office now delivers mail on Sunday?  It felt so odd for me to see the mail truck in our neighborhood on a Sunday.  I was really young, but I do remember the days when Sundays were holy.  Nothing was open. Not even a gas station or a grocery store.  One just had to prepare for the holy day and make it a day of rest.  Did you also know that when we do not make the day holy, we are disobeying God:  Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy (Exodus 20:8). Not only does it mean, we are not to work, but that we are to take a day and worship our God.  In fact, this day has been consecrated by God! (Exodus 20:11).

In Hebrews 4:1-13, Paul states, “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works…and those who formerly received the good news, failed to enter because of disobedience…do not hardened your hearts…make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through such disobedience… (Hebrews 4:4-11).  So many times, we justify the reason we cannot go to worship, serve the Lord, show up for meetings that we promised to help in a particular ministry, or my favorite…”Such and such came up – that’s more important and something I would rather do instead.”  In other words, “I’ll come to worship if I don’t have anything else better to do.”  The point is, we are all guilty putting other things in front of God and obeying his Law.  But, I want to reinforce – when you disobey God; It is a risk you are taking for your eternal life!

“God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).  I wonder if we all took a stand for God to say “No” to the secular world and “yes” to God and God’s commandments, how might the world begin to change?  Personally, why wouldn’t everyone want a day of rest just for God?

Let us pray…God, I feel that so many people have drifted from you and your commandments that they don’t even see that breaking your fourth commandment is even a thing.  I wonder how many even think to ask for forgiveness because it is so common.  Help us to know your commandments and that when we do not make an effort to follow your ways, we are being disobedient and risk our final rest with you.  Help us Lord.  Amen.