#222 Consider the Source

Moses assembled the whole Israelite community and said to them, “These are the things the Lord has commanded you to do: 2 For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a day of sabbath rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it is to be put to death. 3 Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day.” Exodus 35:1-3 NIV

I have made many excuses over the years for not pursuing those times of quiet, contemplation, worship and reverence of God. Usually I claim to be too busy, yet I seem quite capable of making time for television and other passive pursuits. There is nothing wrong with fishing, work or sports, and every good and wholesome pursuit can be done to the glory of God. It is the neglect of God, of His word, of the spiritual, the denial of such rest and priority that removes our preoccupations from their proper context, and places them before God as our religion. If all my rest is in front of the tv then all my information, my understanding begins to reflect a media that is without God. I soon forget that in six days God created the earth and that on the seventh He rested. My view of Him and His word becomes tied to the religion of the state, the media and created things. The Bible becomes an antiquated book of general ideas, that no longer apply to me in this age of enlightenment, where society has evolved past the need of God. But has it? Can it?

"See!" he said to all the people. "This stone will be a witness against us. It has heard all the words the LORD has said to us. It will be a witness against you if you are untrue to your God." Joshua 24:7

…11"For the house of Israel and the house of Judah Have dealt very treacherously with Me," declares the LORD. 12They have lied about the LORD And said, "Not He; Misfortune will not come on us, And we will not see sword or famine. 13"The prophets are as wind, And the word is not in them. Thus it will be done to them!" Jeremiah 5:11-13

…7But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8But do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day. 9The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:7-9