The system of Sabbaths in Israel reveals God’s heart of compassion for the oppressed and marginalized.

Since the days of ancient Israel, the Sabbath has been intended to shape God’s people to care about the poor, the needy, and the sojourner.

God gave the Sabbath as a gift not only to people but also for the land and the wild animals. Therefore the Sabbath should shape us to care about God’s creation.

The Sabbath is God’s gracious gift that gives us relief from the burdens we carry and all the expectations that pile up on us.

Our digital word shapes us to look for connection and life through virtual means. However, Jesus is the vine through whom we find true connection and life. The Sabbath is an important way that God practices necessary technological pruning and spiritual fruit-bearing.

Is it unsettling to your faith when those who hate Jesus seem to triumph and those who love Him endure unspeakable tragedy? It is likely that we have all struggled with understanding what God is doing in our lives and in our world. In Psalm 73 Asaph is brutally honest about this very thing. Find out not only about his wearisome struggle but the one thing that totally changed his thoughts and heart as God gave him a different perspective—His perspective. It just might change your thoughts and heart for the new year.

In the birth of Jesus, God draws near to us, even in our brokenness and messiness.

In hope, we wait for God’s coming kingdom where the wicked will be brought low and the humble will lifted up.

When we are lonely, the Lord is our light and our salvation. Even if all others forsake us, the Lord will take us in.

Life in this world is filled with pain but the good news of Advent is that God draws near to us in our pain and invites us to wait on him in hope.