Things I Love About the Sabbath

When I share with someone that I keep the Sabbath (honor YHWH's set apart day by resting on the seventh day of the week), they usually feel sorry for me. It's crazy, but many people treat the day of rest like it is some sort of huge burden. If you might be feeling that way yourself, let me tell you: it is anything but a burden. You know when you're feeling overloaded and say, "I need a vacation!" or wonder when you're next day off is? For me, that is never more than six days away. Isaiah 58:13 calls the Sabbath a delight, and once you've made it your lifestyle, it is so easy to do that. While there are many difficulties and heavy loads to carry in life, having a day to rest is not one of them.

A few things I love about the Sabbath:

1. It's a break. One of my favorite things about the Sabbath is always having an upcoming break from it all. No matter how busy things are with work, family commitments, seeing friends, home improvement projects, and whatever else I'm juggling I get to look forward to taking a step back to refresh. Before I started honoring Shabbat my calendar would often become overfilled and it would be overwhelming not to have a day off in site. No worries about that now as there is time to rest each week. That is such a gift to look forward to during busy times.

2. There's time to spend in the Word. Of course I make it a point to spend time reading Scripture, listening to teaching, and praying throughout the week but sometimes that's not as much as I would like. Honoring the Sabbath means no matter what the rest of the week was like, I have a set time for spiritual refreshment. And studying on Shabbat is so nice because you don't have that rush to finish your reading on your lunch break or in the carpool line.

3. Getting to see family. Even if my husband and I are both very busy we know for sure we will get to spend time together come the Sabbath day. We have also made a tradition of lunch with my parents and grandparents, and extended family on Shabbat so we are always able to have quality time as a family and to catch up during seasons that would otherwise be too busy.

4. No money is spent. While some might view not shopping on the Sabbath as an inconvenience, our bank account appreciates having a no-spend day each week. Honoring the Sabbath means we don't go out for a meal or go shopping or make an online purchase or buy coffee. That's a financial difference that adds up. Before you say that the same amount of money gets spent on the other days of the week let me give an example of the financial savings of the Sabbath. It's not unusual for us to think of something on Friday or Shabbat that we need or would like to have, but since we aren't able to purchase it right away we often find that the desire for that item fades or an opportunity to borrow what's needed or otherwise get it for less presents itself. Patience can save you a lot!

5. The stability of this compounds. Maybe the perks of financial savings or taking a break from it all don't sound life changing, but being able to look forward to the Sabbath each week compounds in an amazing way! The first time I observed the Sabbath I didn't feel much different, but now I can see what a huge impact this has had on my life. I am less stressed, and much less easily overwhelmed. Managing my life around keeping this commandment has brought incredible peace and contentment to my life.

There are many more benefits and joys that come with Sabbath keeping. If this is a new idea to you, which one of these things could you use the most in your life right now? If you keep Shabbat, what is your favorite part?

Want to learn more about the Sabbath? Here are fifteen things Scripture says about it and five things the Messiah taught the Sabbath.

Scripture Reading for the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)

Here is a list of Scriptures to read during and in the time leading up to the Festival of Sukkot. This set apart time is also known as the Feast of Tabernacles or Booths, the Festival of Ingathering, and the Season of Joy, so there are certainly lots of Scriptures that would be appropriate for this time of year! This time is a reminder that YHWH dwells with us, and calls to mind both Yahusha's life and also his return when he will once again be physically present with us.

Scriptures to read for Sukkot:

Exodus 23:16 - the first mention of Sukkot in Scripture, before the Israelites even got to the Promised Land.
Leviticus 23:34 - details on Sukkot.
Deuteronomy 16:13-15 - talks about rejoicing during the Festival of Booths.
Psalm 27:5 - a promise that YHWH will secure us in his sukkah.
Ecclesiastes - this is a traditionally read during Sukkot.
Ezra 3:4 - the celebration of Sukkot after the Temple was rebuilt.
Nehemiah 8:14-18 - the Torah is read after many years of neglect and the people see the instructions on keeping the feast.
Zechariah 14:16-20 - a prophecy of the feast of Sukkot being celebrated in the millennium.
Luke 2 - the story of the birth of the Messiah, which is evidenced to have happened at this time of year.
John 7 - Yahusha's time at the festival of Sukkot.
Revelation 21:3-5 - when the sukkah of YHWH comes and dwells with us.

More on Tabernacles:
The Feast of Tabernacles: Everything You Should Know
8 Things Scripture Says About the Feast of Tabernacles
Activities for Tabernacles

Joy of Shabbat: Finding Rewards in Sabbath Rest

Who else remembers those summer reading programs at the library when you were a kid? As someone who loves to read, I really didn't need any extra incentive to do so, but add free ice cream cones, mini golf, and baseball tickets to the mix? Heaven! You mean I do something I love and I get a prize?! That's how I feel about Shabbat now. I do something I enjoy and good things are added on top of that.

Shabbat is a break. A time to rest and relax. A pause. It's happy. On top of being obedient to a commandment, your life also gets better. When I first started honoring Shabbat I did so because I felt YHWH was asking me to listen to his instruction. My hope wasn't that I would get something out of it, but I quickly realized I was. Yes, the day off is wonderful, but it overflows to the rest of the week. Hectic work weeks were no longer overwhelming. My energy levels went up and I didn't have to drag through busy months exhausted. I had more joy being able to look ahead to a break. Life didn't feel like endless work. Shabbat has brought more peace than I know how to describe.

Now I know many of you are thinking - I'm way too busy to fit a day off into my life. That's what I thought too. But you will be more productive and have more joy in your life from honoring this commandment.

Shabbat is for you if...

-You feel like you don't have time for it.

-You want to honor our Creator's commandments.

-You've been exhausted and overwhelmed.

-Life is busy.

-You're struggling to find joy.

-You want to have a better relationship with YHWH.

-You want to build strong family time.

-You feel like you're constantly working but don't get enough done.
-Seventh day rest seems like legalism.
-Strengthening your faith sounds like a good idea.

-You want more peace in your life.

When I asked if readers found Shabbat rewarding, the answer was a wholehearted, "YES!" Not that we do it for the rewards of course, but it is the Deuteronomy 28 promise of, "If you keep my commands I will bless you," literally fulfilled. So many unique perspectives were mentioned that I had to share.

How has Shabbat been rewarding for you?

"It's wonderful to have a guilt free rest every six days."

"I have learned more about YHWH in the last three years [while keeping Shabbat] than I have my whole life attending church. Same with my kids. It has brought us closer as a family. There is so much freedom and blessing from keeping Shabbat."

"It's not only a rest from working, but the only day of the week when I am surrounded by other believers."

"I am a hairdresser. I prayed about stopping working on Sabbath, YHWH said if I would remember the Sabbath he would bless my work days. He has, and I have work to give away."

"I am finding greater meaning and significance."

"His shalom has increased in our home and lives."

"The physical and spiritual aspects are healing and restoring."

"I feel closer to YHWH and there is more peace in our home."

"I find it so rewarding. One of the greatest gifts that I didn't expect was how much more I could accomplish on Sunday after truly resting from the week."

"It gives us something wonderful to look forward to each week!"

"It is like getting ready to have a special guest come to your house and everything is special. I like that."

"My faith has grown so much! I used to always wonder if I was doing what God wanted, and now I know I am!"

"It is a time set aside that brings peace to my soul. It allows me to focus on Yah. I've learned so much truth, and enjoyed good fellowship time."

"Having a time to learn more about YHWH and his ways has lead me to a closer relationship with Yahusha."

"Of course. Rest and peace is a blessing."

"There's added peace in my life. I feel refreshed and more focused."

"We are excited for sundown on Friday. There is an air of excitement, of an expectation of rest and family time. Undivided time and extra study and just resting in Him. We have started a few family traditions surround it and that feels warm and inviting. I've learned we trust Father and He truly sustains us and gives us a joy and peace in His ways."

"Before observing I would work seven days a week, at my job and at home. I would rest only when I found time. Now, I make time to rest. I make time to reflect. I make time to study and fellowship with my family and others. Observing Shabbat has improved my health physically, emotionally, and spiritually."

"I've greatly noticed the improvement in our time spent together as a family. The days leading up to Shabbat seem to have more meaning, and our bodies and minds get the rest they need."

"I am becoming better at raising my children to follow Yah!"

"It re-energizes me for the week ahead and gives me to time to relax and enjoy myself without a worry in the world."

"It's the only day I can just rest and do Bible study without interruption. There are too many rewards to even name, but I am so much happier (like the Bible promises!), way less stressed during the week, and I get so much more Bible study done! Keeping Shabbat has been one of the best decisions I've ever made."

"During my studying abroad I really had to fight to keep Shabbat, but in the end it was so rewarding! I ended up leading a small group of other young women into the Shabbat tradition and that group became the hart of my community. I think one of the greatest rewards has been keeping Shabbat with my family, in our very busy and diverse lives having the same day of rest has given us more uninterrupted time together."

"Since I started taking care of my physical and spiritual self by resting on Shabbat I don't get sick as often or feel like I'm fighting something off. I feel so much healthier!"

"Peace. Rest. Closeness with family and with Yah. Evidence of my growth - set apartness is reality now. It's a special time to study and be with Him in His word."

"[Reading the Torah portion on Shabbat] I am surprisingly comforted by the familiarity I feel with the stories and with the people whose lives are laid open for us to see."

"I can get through crazy work weeks without breaking down because I know rest is coming soon!"

"It gives me a break from my work week and from having to worry about anything, and it's a day of worship!"

"I always know that there is one day each week that we slow down on purpose, and it blesses us to slowly enjoy our day."

"Putting aside work, housework, and other activities for the day allows me to purposefully connect with YHWH."

"We are more rested for the week. There is a real shalom around it. I am so ready to start working again on Sunday. I look forward to resting and relaxing, with no obligation to do anything on Sabbath. When we started obeying the command to keep Sabbath, more truth was revealed to us."

"It gives me a definitive window of time to refresh mentally, physically, and spiritually and it sets me apart from the world."

"It is a frequent conversation piece. My employer has scheduled this year's annual company party on a Shabbat. I will have opportunities to share the truth about YHWH when people ask why I won't be attending."

"I feel closer to YHWH when I am doing His will. Our family is closer and more relaxed. My marriage has bonded stronger."

"It is a wonderful time of refreshing our spirits and focusing on intimacy with YHWH and each other. Acknowledging His set apart day has deepened our connection with and commitment to Him. Making it a priority has opened up new channels of provision and favor in our lives, too."

If you keep Shabbat, how has it benefited you?

Shabbat Simcha

Isaiah 56:2: Happy is the person who does this and grasps this, who keeps Shabbat and does not profane it, and keeps himself from doing evil.

YHWH's Shabbat was created as a day of rest and a day of happiness.

Rest and happiness. Don't those go together? Don't we look forwards to breaks and vacations? Shabbat is peace for our bodies and souls. YHWH knew before creation the importance of rest for our health and happiness. Shouldn't we trust Him enough to rest on this day so that He will fill us with joy? Shabbat is not a day of complex rules; it is not hard to keep. It is a day to be joyful! At sundown tonight Shabbat starts; keep it and you will find joy and peace. Simcha and shalom.