The First Sunday Of Lent (Feb. 21)

Narrated by Pastor Greg Griffith

Obligation or Opportunity

Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy... The Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. Exodus 20:8, 11

A commandment, of course, is an obligation, not an option. It is our human nature to look for loopholes in laws, to find excuses to do what we prefer, not what God expects. Even when we obey, we resent being forced to “do our duty.”

Can we view the commandment as an opportunity instead of an obligation? After all, God “blessed the Sabbath,” intending it to be a gift for our benefit. We are blessed, are we not, to enter into the presence of our gracious God, to be renewed as his children to continue our journey through life?

We dishonor the Sabbath by feeling forced to worship. We honor the Father and the Son by gratefully receiving God's healing grace and responding with joyful praise.

REFLECT: Consider ways to honor the Sabbath today.

PRAY: Heal my stubborn heart, Lord Jesus, and fill me with the joy of your salvation. Amen.

Devotional content provided by Creative Communications for the Parish.