Day 12: Giving Thanks For the Sabbath
Beginning with the Creation of the world, one day was set apart from all others. “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.” Even God rested from His labors on this day, and He asks His children to do the same.
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” – Exodus 20:8–11.
A Sabbath Day cannot be a Holy day without effort. It depends on how we will choose to spend our time, and where our focus is. Latter-day Saints strive not to do anything on Sunday that could be done on other days of the week, such as shopping, eating out, seeing a movie, etc. Instead, we feel this is a sacred day meant for remembering God and our covenants with Him. We attend our worship services, give service, visit the home-bound, and gather with family. But those things are simply outward signs of our inner commitment.
It’s the holiness inside of us that matters the most.
For me, Sunday is arguably my busiest day of the week. It starts at 5:00 am and doesn’t end until about 10:00 PM. Sometimes I admit it feels ironic to call this a “day of rest”! However, this is a day I am “resting” from focusing on myself, and instead trying to focus on doing God’s work. I am spending my time in completely different ways on Sunday than during the rest of my week. The morning is focused on my church calling as a musical missionary – rehearsing and singing praises. I attend church meetings in the afternoon, and I almost always have my family and extended family gathering for a large dinner in the evening.
“The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.” – Mark 2:27
The Lord created the Sabbath so that we can remember Him, and remember who we are. God has promised that we will receive tremendous blessings for keeping the Sabbath Day a holy day.
Today I am thankful for the Sabbath Day where I can renew my holy covenants, recharge my spiritual batteries, and take time to become more holy. I leave you with one of my favorite Sabbath hymns, with full lyrics below. – ♥ MoSop
Take Time To Be Holy
Take time to be Holy, speak oft with thy Lord.
Abide with Him always and feed on His word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
Take time to be holy, the world rushes on.
Spend much time in secret with Jesus alone;
By looking to Jesus like Him thou shalt be;
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
Take time to be holy, let Him be thy guide
And run not before Him whatever betide.
In joy or in sorrow still follow thy Lord,
And looking to Jesus,
Trust in the Lord.
Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul.
Each thought and each motive beneath His control;
Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.
Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above.
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Text: William D. Longstaff
Music: Traditional Irish Melody
Arranged By: Annette W. Dickman
@2007
Latter-day Soprano 