SEPTEMBER 12, 2024
READ: Exodus 20:8-11
MEMORY VERSE
“Remember the Sabbath day.” Exodus 20:8
BACKGROUND
Have you ever been in the middle of telling a story and then stopped, stuck on a detail like a name or date you couldn’t recall? We often chalk it up to age, believing that memory fades with time.
But recent studies no longer support that view. In fact, they indicate our memory isn’t the problem; it’s our ability to retrieve those memories. Without a regular rehearsal of some kind, memories become harder to access.
One of the ways to improve that retrieval ability is by regularly scheduled actions or experiences of recalling a certain memory. Our Creator God knew this, so He instructed the children of Israel to set aside one day a week for worship and rest.
In addition to the physical rest that comes from such a respite, we gain an opportunity for mental training, to recall that “in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them” (Exodus 20:11). It helps us to remember there is a God, and it’s not us.
In the rush of our lives, we sometimes lose our grip on the memories of what God has done for us and for others. We forget who keeps close watch over our lives and who promises His presence when we feel overwhelmed and alone.
A break from our routine provides an opportunity for that needed “retrieval practice”—an intentional decision to stop and remember our God and “forget not all his benefits” (Psalm 103:2).
By: John Blase
INSIGHT
In Jesus’ day, the Sabbath had acquired a layer of regulations that God hadn’t prescribed. This precipitated several Sabbath confrontations between Christ and the religious leaders known as the Pharisees.
In John 5, Jesus healed a man at the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath, upsetting the Pharisees (vv. 1-10). John says that “because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him” (v. 16).
Then they took exception to the disciples picking grain on the Sabbath (Mark 2:23-24). Christ told them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” (v. 27).
Paul wrote that we shouldn’t let anyone judge us “with regard to . . . a Sabbath day” (Colossians 2:16). He also said, “One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind” (Romans 14:5).
By: Tim Gustafson
APPLICATION
What tempts you to skip rest? How can taking time to rest draw you closer to God?
PR’s RE-EMPHASIS (From Post)
“It helps us to remember there is a God, and it’s not us… In the rush of our lives, we sometimes lose our grip on the memories of what God has done for us and for others.”
PR’s (PASTOR RICHARD) TAKE
“…Wherever I cause my name to be honored (remembered), I will come to you and bless you.” Exodus 20:24 – The blessing comes with the remembrance
PRAYER
“Dear God, please remember me and give me the wisdom to stop and remember You as well.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“BLESS THE LORD” Matt Redman and Steve Angrisano
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
The sun comes up
It’s a new day dawning
It’s time to sing Your song again
Whatever may pass
And whatever lies before me
Let me be singing
When the evening comes
Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
You’re rich in love
And You’re slow to anger
Your name is great
And Your heart is kind
For all Your goodness
I will keep on singing
Ten thousand reasons
For my heart to find
Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
Bless You Lord
And on that day
When my strength is failing
The end draws near
And my time has come
Still my soul will
Sing Your praise unending
Ten thousand years
And then forevermore
Forevermore
Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
Bless the Lord oh my soul
Oh my soul
Worship His Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
Yes I’ll worship Your Holy name
I’ll worship Your Holy name
Sing like never before
Oh my soul
I’ll worship Your Holy name
Jesus I will worship Your Holy name
Worship Your Holy name
READING THROUGH THE BIBLE THIS YEAR (DAILY)
ACTS 23
