And the LORD said to Moses, “You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, ‘Above all you shall keep My Sabbaths, for this is a sign between you and Me throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the LORD, sanctify you.’”

  - Exodus 31.12, 13

Do not profane the Sabbath of the Son of God, but conduct your business at the proper time. On Sundays meditate on the Scriptures, read them aloud and make copies of them.

 - The Rule of Ciarán, Irish, 7th or 8th century

Those old Celts knew how to have fun. Especially on the Lord’s Day. 

Ah, think of it – a whole day set aside for nothing else but thinking about and communing with the Lord, resting our weary bodies, meditating on Scripture, talking about spiritual things, reviewing our week in the light of God’s Word, and wandering in our spirits through the corridors of glory in the throne room of King Jesus. What fun! 

To many people – perhaps most? – that doesn’t sound like much fun. What about football? Going out to eat? Heading out to the lake? Getting in a little tennis or golf? It’s significant that of only one of His commandments does the Lord use the phrase, “above all.” Our text shows us which one. 

The Lord’s Day should be regarded as a sign to remind and renew us in the sanctifying grace of God. Ignore the sign and you’ll miss the next turn or careen off the road God has mapped out for you along the path of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit. Submit to the sign and your journey will make recognizable progress, week after week.

The Lord’s Day is just that – His day. We must not presume to make it our day, one in which our rules, our preferences, and our interests are paramount. God has a plan for how we should use His day, and those who regularly submit to that plan call the Sabbath a delight and grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Above all,” “keep My Sabbaths,” “throughout your generations”: Ignore such signs at your own peril.

Psalm 95.7-9 (Tidings: “O Zion, Haste, Thy Mission High Fulfilling”)
You are our God, we are Your sheep, Your people:
Speak, Lord, and let us hearken to Your Word.
Let not our hearts grow hard through sin and feeble,
As when our fathers sinned against You, Lord.
  Come, let us worship, kneel to our Lord;
  Worship our Maker: Father, Holy Spirit, Word.

Have mercy upon me, O God, from whom and through whom is the rule of all created things for Thee, O God. To Thee be glory and honour forever and ever. Anonymous, Litany of the Trinity

T. M. Moore, Principal
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