August 6, 2026
- djohnstoncc
- Aug 6
- 3 min read
THE ART OF STOPPING
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.”
Exodus 20:8-11 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
The fourth commandment deals with Shabbat—a Hebrew word that literally means "to stop" or "to cease." God explicitly commands us to stop our work once a week and set that day apart as holy. This day is dedicated to "the Lord your God"—a Shabbat dedicated to Yahweh your Elohim.
This phrasing is intentional. Yahweh is God’s covenant-keeping name, while Elohim reflects His power as Creator. When we observe Sabbath, we pause to remember our covenant partner who created us, aligning our weekly rhythm with His design.
Let’s be honest: this is probably the one commandment our culture almost rewards us for breaking. We applaud people who put in 80-hour workweeks. We take quiet pride in telling friends, "I haven't had a single day off in a month!" But let's consider why God placed this boundary in place:
1. God Modeled Shabbat
When we read the creation account in Genesis 1 and 2, we discover that on the seventh day, God rested. Was He exhausted? Not at all. Isaiah 40:28 reminds us that God never grows weary or tired. God didn't rest because He was running on empty; He rested to model a sacred rhythm for humanity.
2. Shabbat Is Not Laziness
We live in a culture programmed to believe that to get ahead, you must work harder, longer, and faster. Society worships productivity, and we often mistake our busy checklist for our personal worth.
I’ve fallen into this trap many times. When my wife Cindy asks how my day went, I catch myself feeling a surge of pride when I can answer, "It was super productive—I checked everything off my list!" But God does not measure our identity by the length of our completed task list.
3. Shabbat Is Resistance
When Moses asked Pharaoh for permission to take a break so Israel could worship, Pharaoh accused them of being lazy and doubled their workload. His response was to force them to make the same number of bricks with less material—driving them harder so they wouldn't have time to seek God.
Practicing Shabbat is a direct act of spiritual resistance against the "empire" mindset that demands more, more, more. It is a declaration of faith saying: "I am not a slave to productivity. I trust that God is my Provider, not my relentless hustle."
How and When Do We Practice Shabbat?
What should we do? True Sabbath happens when we intentionally choose to rest, reflect, and recreate. It isn't just about doing "nothing"; it's about making space to renew our bodies, minds, emotions, and spirits in God's presence.
When should we keep it? Historically, Jewish tradition observes Sabbath from sunset on Friday to nightfall on Saturday. Early Christians began gathering on the first day of the week (Sunday) to celebrate Jesus' resurrection. The specific day matters far less than the consistent rhythm. Whether your Sabbath falls on Sunday or another day due to your work and family schedule, what matters is reserving a 24-hour window dedicated to rest and holy reflection.
Reflection Questions:
Do you consistently set aside one day out of seven for rest, reflection, and renewal?
What internal fears or cultural pressures make it difficult for you to stop working for 24 hours?
What is one practical boundary you can set this week (such as turning off work email or delaying chores) to protect your Sabbath?
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit, teach me the art of stopping. Help me break free from the world's obsession with constant busyness and productivity. Show me how to practically calendar a 24-hour Sabbath so I can rest, reflect, and be renewed in Your presence. Amen.
“Scroll down to share what you feel God is saying based on today’s reading.”
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