When the psalmist feels as though he is sinking down into the depths because of his sin, he learns to wait for the Lord’s redemption and that becomes his solid hope.

Ezekiel describes the Sabbath as a sign – of God’s saving grace, of life free from idols, and of a life set apart for God.

When the world seems to be falling apart, God is our refuge and strength. Therefore, he calls us to be still and know that he is the Lord.

The Sabbath short-circuits the social abuses and dysfunctions that creep into our lives, and provides a grace-filled space where we can be socially and relationally healthy.

By healing the man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, Jesus shows that God’s desire to bring healing and restoration to the body is at the very heart of the Sabbath day.

Jesus invites all those who are weary and burdened to come to him and find rest, and he promises to give us rest for our souls.

We live in a culture in which so many things are commodified. The Sabbath trains us to turn away from the culture of commodification and its gospel of consumerism, and instead to embrace a life of grace and the gospel of the kingdom.