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 benefits and joys that come with Sabbath keeping! These are just a few things and I don't know anyone who wouldn't benefit from the blessings of God's rest day!

More posts about the Sabbath:
What Jesus Said about the Sabbath
The Joy of Sabbath Keeping
Fifteen Things the Bible Says about 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

The Joy of Sabbath Keeping: Unexpected Benefits of God's Day of Rest

Here we talk about the impact of taking part in Sabbath rest and the positive benefits that brings to our lives. We look at the Sabbath with the perspective of having a weekly day of rest and worship as a benefit to us. Many people will tell you that the Sabbath is impossible to keep or not worth it, but for myself and many others - including friends and family I know personally, and hearing from other Sabbath keepers around the world - that is just not the case. I find that that those who claim the Sabbath isn't worth it are those not keeping it.

The Sabbath, or Shabbat, is a break. A time to rest and relax. To pause. It's happy. On top of being obedient to a commandment, you also see your life get better. When I first started honoring the Sabbath (and I would define that as not just knowing you should rest on it, but proactively arranging your life so that you are not at work or doing chores), I did so because I felt like God was asking me to listen to his instruction. My hope wasn't that I would get something out of it, but it didn't take long to realize I was.

Having a day off is wonderful, but that also overflows into the rest of the week. Hectic work weeks became less overwhelming. My energy level 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 that was never far away. Life didn't feel like endless work. Keeping the Sabbath has brought more peace than I know how to describe.

And I'm not alone in this belief! I've asked other Sabbath keepers how honoring the Sabbath has impacted their lives. Here's what they've shared.

 

What are the benefits of Sabbath rest?

It's wonderful to have a guilt free rest every week.

"I have learned more about YHWH in the last three years while keeping the Sabbath, than I have in 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 get to be around other believers."

Peace has increased in our home and lives.

"I am a hairdresser. I prayed about stopping work on the 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 in my life.

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

My relationship with God is closer.

"It is 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 reminds me that the Holy Spirit is with me.

"My faith has grown so much! I always used to 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 and allows me to focus on God.

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

"I feel refreshed and more focused."

Rest and peace is a blessing!

"We have started family traditions surrounding the Sabbath that feel warm and inviting."

"Observing the Sabbath has improved my health physically, emotionally, and spiritually."

I used to only rest if I happened to have the time, which made me constantly feel worn-down. Now I know I can prioritize the rest I need. 

"The quality of our family time has improved!"

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

"It re-energizes me."

"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 - that group became the heart 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 the Sabbath I don't get sick as often or feel like I'm fighting something off. I feel so much healthier!"

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

"Gives me time to 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."

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

"My marriage has bonded stronger."

"Acknowledging the set apart day has deepened our connection with God and our commitment to him, and has opened up new channels of provision and favor in our lives too."

When you keep the Sabbath, it truly brings unexpected gifts into your life! It strengthens your faith, helps you know the love of God in a practical way, and is refreshing to your body, mind, and spirit. Many people say that it has benefited their relationships with their spouse and other family members. When God gave us the Sabbath it was truly one of his most extravagant gifts.

More posts about the Sabbath:
Five Things Christians Should Know about the Sabbath
Did Jesus Break the Sabbath?
What To Do on the Sabbath Day

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.