Shabbat Shalom

SHABBAT SHALOM

“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.” – Psalms‬ ‭103:13-14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Shabbat Shalom” is a common greeting shared by both Jews and Messianic believers. The words mean “Sabbath Peace.”  From sundown Friday evening until sundown Saturday evening, the 24 hours of the Sabbath are dedicated to rest, spending time in prayer and ceasing from the toil of life, to enjoy the gracious provision of God.

As believers in Jesus as our Messiah, we can know not only rest from our physical labor to earn our provision, but we can know rest from striving to earn the approval and acceptance of God.

When on the cross, Jesus said, “It is finished.”  His work on Earth in His physical body was completed, and the sacrifice of His sinless life as a substitute for ours, left our sins covered by the blood.

The Lord remembers how we are made.  No more does our approval depend upon our works or the sacrifice of an unblemished animal, but the magnitude of the work of the cross purchased salvation once and for all for those who believe.

When we honor the Sabbath in rest, we declare, once again, our trust in God to provide every need, and we acknowledge the new covenant that was signed with blood.  We can know “Shalom”—peace with Almighty God, because the veil that separated mankind from ABBA Father was torn.

We choose to rest, not from legalism, because Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath.  Instead, we choose to rest out of joy, as a declaration of His faithfulness to provide and a celebration of peace with God through Christ Jesus.

This Friday night, when you finish your week of labor and feel the weight of the week lifted off of your shoulders, remember that a far greater weight was lifted off of mankind’s shoulders on another Friday many years ago.

Shabbat Shalom, my friends.  May you know rest and peace with God.

https://www.facebook.com/Prayers-of-a-Ragamuffin-Warrior-171515087035441/

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Unshakeable Hope

Image
  UNSHAKEABLE HOPE By: Julie Souza Bradley Lilly “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” - Psalms ‭139:23  ‬NIV As the times we are in are heating up, our eyes search for HOPE and comfort.  We look longingly over our shoulder at the “Good Old Days”—simpler times, old relationships and habits—people and things that, in the past, brought momentary relief.  But, more often than not, we find that the fleeting well of comfort found there has since dried up. ‬ We have not been abandoned to fend for ourselves, however. God, Himself, will be our refuge!‬ When everything else is shaking, we have been given a glorious hope.  God is immovable, and when we put our trust in Him, so are we!  ‬ “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” – Psalm 125:1-2 NIV Beloved, let’s not until the worl...
Read more

Kissing Boo-Boos

Image
  KISSING BOO-BOOS By:  Julie Souza Bradley Lilly Oh, the miracle of a kiss on a boo-boo!  I remember being little and getting a cut on my finger.  I’d raise that chubby finger and go running to my mom.  She always knew what to do.  She would gently clean it, put on a bandaid and give it a kiss.  We weren’t done until my hurt had been kissed.  There was magic in that application of compassion and love.  It made the pain go away. We have all seen that toddler with a boo-boo.  They run to their mom or dad to clean it, put on a bandaid and give it a kiss.  If the wound isn’t treated, the tiny nick can continue to hurt and bleed. Each time it is touched or bumped they are reminded of the pain.  And an untreated wound can become infected and grow. There are people all around us with unkissed boo-boos today.  They are hurt, afraid or sad.  They go through life fearful of being hurt again, and looking for someone they can t...
Read more

The Secret of The Birds

Image
 THE SECRET OF THE BIRDS By:  Julie Souza Bradley Lilly “Praise the Lord from the earth, Sea monsters and all deep sea creatures; Beasts and all cattle; Creeping things and winged birds.” - Psalm 148:7, 10.   Morning has broken and the choir of birds outside my window is singing their hearts out.  Birds may not be considered to be intelligent, yet their response to God in hardship could teach us a few things.  We humans grumble to God about so much, but the birds praise their creator in severe heat and bitter cold.  They may have nests and the shade of trees, but they don’t have the many comforts we enjoy, yet they praise Him.  They know a secret:  God is enthroned upon our praises.  When our hearts are full of worship, He takes His rightful place and brings with Him joy and peace. Let’s take a lesson from the birds.  Their trust in their maker to provide for their needs, even in the face of harsh seasons, calls out to our faith.  It ...
Read more