Dear Family,

Today is Friday, May 12, 2023. It is Day 34; Day 6 of Week 5 in our Count to Pentecost.

Following God’s underscoring the timing of the Sabbath and its proper observance for ancient Israel, Israel remained for a brief time in the general area. They had ample food, so that was not to be a problem for them again while they were in the wilderness. However, they still had additional challenging experiences to face.

Had Israel understood how much of a blessing the faithful and joyful proper use of the Sabbath can bring, they may have entered God’s REST much sooner. Yet, they did not know. Why? Perhaps it was because they tended to focus on self rather than God.

Brethren, do we understand the wonderful blessings linked to God’s gift of the Sabbath? It was never intended to be any kind of a burden. No, Never! The Sabbath was always to be associated with great blessings. Notice what God says in Isaiah.

Isaiah 58:13-14 (13) If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My Holy Day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the Holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: (14) Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

May God bless us with the faith so that we will all turn away our feet from the Sabbath. God’s intends for us to “ride upon the high places of the earth!” Believe it!

Ben Faulkner, Pastor
©2023, Church of the Sovereign God