Q 77: How do the redeemed of the Lord rest from their weekly occupations?

A 77: The redeemed of the Lord rest from their weekly occupations by ceasing from their normal work and pleasures so that they may the better delight in the Lord. (Is. 58.13, 14; Ex. 20.9, 10; Deut. 5.12, 14)

Six days have been given to us to do the work assigned by the Lord for the progress of His Kingdom and the maintenance of our and our neighbors’ needs. The seventh day is to be kept free of such labors, except as works of mercy and necessity require. Nor should we be a cause for others to have to work on this day, but must, by our example and exhortation, encourage all people to make good use of the Lord’s Day according to His purposes, and not our own.

There is more delight, satisfaction, and refreshment to be known in resting in the Lord than we can ever obtain by continuing our everyday work into the Lord’s Day. It requires faith, obedience, and a disciplined life to make the best use of the Sabbath, but the blessings that come to us through such faithfulness more than offset whatever we may hope to achieve by failing to make this a holy day.

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