A Day to Prepare

TODAY’S VERSE: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the Sons of God.” 1 John 3: 1

This morning as I sat in my “prayer corner” thinking over my day and asking God to lead me in His will today, I knew the burden on my heart was from God. You see, I have kept the Sabbath for a number of years. I look forward to every Sabbath as a day of celebration and joy with my family. Unfortunately, I know I have not been as diligent as I should be in preparing my home and my heart and the hearts of my family for the arrival of the Sabbath. My Friday’s have been so packed with work and chores and catching up that by the time the sun set on Friday, I was exhausted and too tired to fully enjoy my rest in Christ.

 This is not a new burden on my heart. It has been there whispering to me each week for months. A couple of weeks ago, I again realized that my “work-a-holic” nature was not what God wanted even though most of my work is ministry related.

A recurring theme for me lately has been the story of Mary and Martha. Martha is running around trying to prepare everything just so. And she feels frustrated because Mary is sitting at Jesus feet instead of helping her. This particular story has come across my path numerous times and each time, I think, “Yes, Lord. I hear you. You are speaking directly to me.”

 So, I have made a commitment to not work so much and pray more, allowing God to do much of the work for me. I have also made a commitment to not clutter up my Preparation Day with too many activities and chores. This way, when the Sabbath arrives, I am waiting and ready instead of running around like a chicken with her head cut off trying to get it all done before the sun sets.

 I did want to talk a little about what the Preparation Day is and what types of things should be done to prepare for the Sabbath. Sabbath is of course a day of rest from our work and from the world. What kinds of things are done to prepare for this day of celebration and rest?

 Obviously it will vary somewhat from one household to the next. But, much is done the same. For instance, preparing the food for the Sabbath, preparing the home so that no work is required over the Sabbath, filling the gas tanks so you don’t have to purchase gas on the Sabbath to get to church.

 That is what the Preparation day is all about - planning ahead so that on the Sabbath day our sole focus is God and His Word. We plan ahead so that there is no need for worry or work or distractions.

 From the beginning, the 6th day has always been the day of preparation. We are told that God rested on the Seventh Day from all of His work - not because he was tired, but because He wanted a day to spend with His beloved creation. His beloved children whom he had carefully crafted. His beloved creation that just the day before the had formed and breathed the breath of life. He wanted a day devoted to nothing but their relationship with Him. (Gen 2: 3)

 We are reminded of the first Sabbath in Exodus 20: 8 - 11, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy… For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” (NIV) What an awesome reminder of God’s desire to commune with us without the distractions that so often consume our thoughts and our actions. He wanted a day just for us!

 The sixth day, or Friday, has always been the Preparation Day. In Exodus 16: 22 we are told, “On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much [manna]…” (NIV) because on the seventh day there was no manna to gather.

 Luk 23:54 tells us, “And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.” (KJV)

 I find it interesting that if we as Christians no longer needed to prepare and keep the Sabbath holy, that Jesus never told anyone that the commandments were no longer valid. In fact, he often repeated the very opposite, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14: 15)

 So, as believers it is our desire to follow the words, the instructions of Jesus Christ. The Preparation Day is just as important as it was in His day. Why? Because we love Him. We, too, should desire that one on one time with our Savior. We, too, should long for peace and separation from the world. We, too, should make it a point to prepare our hearts and homes for a day with Him.

 My goal today, is to stop my work by 2:00 p.m. Begin my household chores so that everything is done by sundown - including cooking and cleaning. Then, I want to welcome the Sabbath with singing as a family. We can then gather around the table with a delcious meal awaiting and celebrate the Sabbath in peace. Then tomorrow, as the sun sets and the Sabbath comes to a close, we can again meet the Lord with singing and praise and worship as a family. That is what the Sabbath is really about - worshiping the One who created each of us.

 Contemplate what the Preparation Day and the Sabbath mean to you and how you can bring joy to your family this Sabbath day. Be blessed.