Take a moment to read the entire chapter of Exodus 31 before reading the devotional below.
Well today I’m feeling convicted that I have seriously underestimated God’s calling on the lives of craftsmen. We usually think about God pouring out his Spirit to anoint pastors, teachers, and spiritual leaders. But if God has very specific project requirements, then skilled craftsmen are suddenly a key part of God’s plan.
The second part of the chapter talks about the Sabbath. This explanation is an expansion on the mention of the Sabbath in the Ten Commandments that were delivered earlier. God’s law sets a death penalty on anyone who doesn’t keep the Sabbath, which is strange if you think about it. What is it about humans that we have to be threatened with punishment of death if we do not rest one day a week? Why are we not jumping at the chance? Imagine a boss who said, “You take your week of vacation time before the end of the year or you’re fired!” And yet Americans especially have a strong resistance to rest. It’s something for all of us to consider as we think about what God is trying to tell us about himself and about what we need.
Here’s your freedom for today: God wants you to take a break. One whole day a week. Nothing on your to-do list is really that important. And what is important can be fit into six days. If you have more to do than six days will allow, maybe God is letting you know that you are trying to steal his job. You can’t save the world. There is absolutely nothing that you must do every single day. Set aside one day for rest and for dwelling in God’s presence. If you develop a Sabbath discipline, you might just find that you aren’t stressed to the max at all times. And you know what? That’s freedom.