The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 7 September 2019 – – Hallow The Sabbath Day

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TOPIC: Hallow The Sabbath Day

READ: Jeremiah 17:24-27 King James Version (KJV)

24 “And it shall be, if you heed Me carefully,” says the Lord , “to bring no burden through the gates of this city on the Sabbath day, but hallow the Sabbath day, to do no work in it,

25 then shall enter the gates of this city kings and princes sitting on the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they and their princes, accompanied by the men of Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and this city shall remain forever.

26 And they shall come from the cities of Judah and from the places around Jerusalem, from the land of Benjamin and from the lowland, from the mountains and from the South, bringing burnt offerings and sacrifices, grain offerings and incense, bringing sacrifices of praise to the house of the Lord.

27 “But if you will not heed Me to hallow the Sabbath day, such as not carrying a burden when entering the gates of Jerusalem on the Sabbath day, then I will kindle a fire in its gates, and it shall devour the palaces of Jerusalem, and it shall not be quenched.”

THE MESSAGE:

As we read yesterday, the people of Israel used the Sabbath Day to bring in their crops and wares into the city. This violated the Law which forbade work on the Day. God created the world and rested on the 7th day. He instructed the Israelites to keep the day holy. Hallowing the Sabbath is a sign of repentance (Nehemiah 10:31). God told them that if they would obey the rules of the Sabbath, they would receive bountiful blessings. If they disobeyed, God said I will set the gates of Jerusalem on fire. Fire would burn down the palaces of Jerusalem, and no one would be able to put it out (verse 27; GNB).

God never jokes with His instructions. Our own Sabbath Day today is Sunday, the first day of the week. The early Christians observed it probably in honour of the Resurrection of Christ (Acts 20:7; Matthew 28:1-6). God owns all the days of the week. We are to worship/honour Him on a daily basis though we have to join others to respect this designated day. If you are not on essential duty on Sundays, like those in the armed forces, medical personnel, etc., kindly make out time to join others to worship God. This is a mark of obedience and the Lord will bless you.

Prayer: Oh Lord, please help me to obey You by keeping the Sabbath Day holy.