Tag Archives: rest from labor

Labor Day

“Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array.  By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.  Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.”  (Genesis 2:1-3, NIV)

The first U. S. Labor Day holiday was observed in 1882. The first “Labor Day” holy day ever was at Creation!

The U. S. Labor Day was the idea of the American labor movement, and was “dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers.”  God’s “labor day,” (a. k. a. “the sabbath”) is His idea, and is a day of physical rest from one’s work; and a time of reflection on God’s blessings.

The U. S. Labor Day holiday comes ’round once a year.  God’s holy day comes up each week. Each is an opportunity to rest, reflect, and be refreshed for the days that follow.  Each is a gift.  Don’t leave either unopened!   – Luther

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“I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.”  (Psalm 3:5, NIV)

The threshold of another weekend, provides the opportunity to rest, reflect, and re-engage.

The writer of this psalm (David) wrote it while on the run from his son Absalom (a rogue child if ever there was one). See 2 Samuel 15 for the background.

In critical times, we are reminded of our fragility.  We awake from our slumber only because God awakens us.  We live, only because God sustains us.

However, we need also to remember that God sustains us when life is sweet and everyone is at peace with us.  In every circumstance, give thanks to God for his grace.  – Luther

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“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28, KJV)
Strange as it seems, some people (no matter how tired, weary, harried, or over-committed) will just not take a break.

Such folks rise early; retire late; work every weekend; and lose vacation time routinely.  For such persons, work is not a means — but an end; a tyrannical. . . dead. . . end.  To such persons, Jesus offers a simple, effective, alternative: “Come unto me. . . and I will give you rest.”

Come to Him through worship.  Come to Him through prayer.  Come to Him through the fellowship of His people.  Come to Him through communion with the Holy Spirit.  Come to Him through your meditation on the scriptures — and He will give you rest.  – Luther

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