A Holy Day
“God wants to inhabit hearts that want to spend time with Him.”
Genesis 2:1-3 (NLT)
So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.
Reflection
In a world that values achieving success at any cost, it is no surprise that resting is considered a needless luxury. In God’s economy, nothing could be further from the truth. Setting aside a day to rejuvenate and focus on God is for our benefit, not His. A consistent rhythm of rest is necessary for our spiritual health. In fact, in Isaiah 66:1 of the NIV, when God told the Israelites that He wanted to live in their hearts, He worded it this way:
Where is the house you will build for me?
Where will my resting place be?
God wants to inhabit hearts that want to spend time with Him. This principle extends beyond the Sabbath, but it must start here. If I get out of the habit of honoring God on Sunday, I find it easier to skip my quiet time with Him each morning. Before long, my daily schedule becomes less manageable and there never seems to be enough time to get everything done. However, everything falls into place when I prioritize God in my day.
God declared that our three greatest resources should be set apart and used for His glory—our time (Isaiah 58:13-14), our money (Proverbs 3:9-10), and our bodies (1 Thessalonians 5:23). When we steward these gifts wisely, we enjoy a closeness with God that money cannot buy and achievements cannot replace. If we dishonor Him in these areas, the distance we create in our relationship with Him will be obvious, first to ourselves, and then to everyone around us.
Action Step
Try to imagine God residing in a heart that never slows down and never takes time to be in His presence. Does this describe your heart? If so, what needs to change so that you have time to spend with God?
Prayer
Lord, search my heart and tell me if it is the resting place You desire it to be. If it isn’t, then make it clear to me what I need to change. Amen!
So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.
Reflection
In a world that values achieving success at any cost, it is no surprise that resting is considered a needless luxury. In God’s economy, nothing could be further from the truth. Setting aside a day to rejuvenate and focus on God is for our benefit, not His. A consistent rhythm of rest is necessary for our spiritual health. In fact, in Isaiah 66:1 of the NIV, when God told the Israelites that He wanted to live in their hearts, He worded it this way:
Where is the house you will build for me?
Where will my resting place be?
God wants to inhabit hearts that want to spend time with Him. This principle extends beyond the Sabbath, but it must start here. If I get out of the habit of honoring God on Sunday, I find it easier to skip my quiet time with Him each morning. Before long, my daily schedule becomes less manageable and there never seems to be enough time to get everything done. However, everything falls into place when I prioritize God in my day.
God declared that our three greatest resources should be set apart and used for His glory—our time (Isaiah 58:13-14), our money (Proverbs 3:9-10), and our bodies (1 Thessalonians 5:23). When we steward these gifts wisely, we enjoy a closeness with God that money cannot buy and achievements cannot replace. If we dishonor Him in these areas, the distance we create in our relationship with Him will be obvious, first to ourselves, and then to everyone around us.
Action Step
Try to imagine God residing in a heart that never slows down and never takes time to be in His presence. Does this describe your heart? If so, what needs to change so that you have time to spend with God?
Prayer
Lord, search my heart and tell me if it is the resting place You desire it to be. If it isn’t, then make it clear to me what I need to change. Amen!
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Don’t Stop Short of JesusThe Cross Is God’s Invitation to YouRemembering the OwnerThe OwnerThe Illusion of Self-Made SuccessActs 26:12–23 | Paul’s Encounter with JesusActs 26: 1–11 | Agrippa Grants PermissionInvited From The OutsideSurrender Creates PeaceWhen Blessing Becomes ForgetfulnessWhat A Pastor Means When They Say... | The Branch Living as Stewards, Not OwnersCreated for RelationshipThe Heart Behind the GiftSurrender GainsThe StewardFaithful StewardsOne Percent BetterEverything Belongs to GodThe Evaluation Is ComingActs 26:24-32 | Agrippa Parries Paul's ChallengeRedefining Success | The Branch The EvaluationHow You View God Determines EverythingThe Economy of Kingdom InvestmentChoose Your Category WiselyAnchored in Steadfast LoveActs 27:1-3 | Paul Sails for RomeDiscerning Between Good And Evil | The BranchLoved Enough to Be DisciplinedThe Steadfast Love of GodReturning to God’s WayCrying Out from the DepthsLiving with Wise Awareness
February
Partnering with God’s MissionBuilding Kingdom FruitTHE GIVER | PASTOR ANTHONY LOMBARDIWorship Through SacrificeNavigating God's Calling Within MarriageTrusting God’s ProvisionActs 27: 13-20 | The Storm at Sea | TCBSActs 27: 4-12 | From Caesarea to Fair HavensFrom Self-Focus to Kingdom-FocusFrom Death to LifeThe Answer Is a PersonEmpowered for MissionActs 27:21–26 | TCBSTHE CHURCH | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONDesigned for CommunityAnger, Justice and Psalms of Judgment | The BranchHeaven Invading EarthBetter Together PURPOSED RELATIONSHIPS | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONLifted When You FallWarmth in the ColdProtected by the CordWhen to Wait, When to Work | The BranchOne Body, One MissionWhere Your Treasure IsThe Antidote to AnxietyINVEST HEARTS AND FINANCES | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONReturn to MeActs 27: 39-44 | The Shipwreck | TCBSTreasures That LastThe Heaps of Hezekiah
2025
January
A New Heart and SpiritSowing in Tears, Reaping in JoyFrom the Pit to a New SongNo Other God's Before MeSeek First the KingdomStoring Treasures in HeavenServing One MasterTrusting God with EverythingThe Power of InfluenceRelationships That InfluenceFinding Godly FriendsIron Sharpens IronSpeaking Truth In LovePrioritizing God's PresenceChoosing the Better PortionLiving With Eternal PerspectiveCreating Margin For God's PurposesBearing Fruit Through AbidingReleasing the Past, Embracing God's FutureTransformed By God's LoveOur Past And A Hope For A FutureEmbracing Our New Identity In ChristRunning The Race Of Perseverance
No Comments