We all need regular opportunities to recharge mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. There is wisdom in having a Sabbath rest built into the seven day cycle of our workweek. The principle of Sabbath is more than ancient 'hand-me-down' wisdom.

Archers called bows that did not send arrows toward designated targets "deceitful," "treacherous" and "unreliable" (Psalm 78:57; Hosea 7:16). A bow would become deceitful if it went for too long a period without having its string loosened. We need regular R & R (rest and relaxation) built into our schedules, a time when we release the tension of our own busyness.

The principle of the Sabbath in Scripture goes beyond just "unwinding." It was a day belonging to the Lord that was to be a reminder of an everlasting covenant. God's people were invited to cease from their own labors and enter into the rest that belonged to the Lord. It was a rest that was derived from God's sense of delight in a perfectly completed work. To enter into the rest of the Sabbath required adopting "divine viewpoint," that is, seeing things from God's point of view instead of one's own viewpoint as a creature living in time and space. They were to reflect upon what God had in mind from the beginning and what He would ultimately realize through the wisdom of His perfect plan.

There are two accounts of the Ten Commandments given to the nation of Israel in the Bible, each one containing the demand to honor the Sabbath. The first is linked to God's satisfaction with His finished work of creation (Exodus 20:8-11; Genesis 2:2-3). The second is linked to His finished work of redemption (Deuteronomy 5:12-15). The children of Israel were to remember that it was God who created the world. It was God who said that it was good. It was also God who brought them out by His mighty hand from their slavery in Egypt. In each case, God's initiative was perfect. In each case, God was looking for responsible human partnership. He was seeking the faithfulness that is required in a covenant relationship.

In the case of creation, man was to complete his creation by willingly partaking of the tree of life and by living in an obedient correspondence to the will of God. In the case of redemption, those delivered from their bondage in Egypt were to be partners in God's purposes and respond to His initiatives with faithfulness. They were to be His treasured possession on the earth, a kingdom of priests, a holy nation, a revealing center of His ways and purposes (Exodus 19:6). They were to enter into the promised land. In both cases, the human response was imperfect. The perfect rest of creation and the perfect rest of redemption were forfeited by unbelief. This is why God's word points to a "new covenant" in which both God's initiative and the human response are perfect (Jeremiah 31:31; Hebrews 8:8-13). It is a new covenant fulfilled "in His Son"; a new covenant ratified "in his blood" (Luke 22:20; 1Corinthians 11:25). It is a perfect covenant in which "rest" is not just promised, it is provided. This is why the Sabbath commandment is the only commandment of the ten that is not repeated in the New Testament. It is because this covenant provision can only be fulfilled in Christ. In Christ, God has initiated a new creation on the basis of a perfect work of redemption. God sent His Son to become man and fulfill all the conditions of faithfulness on man's behalf. He fulfills the law that required righteousness by living a perfect life on our behalf. He fulfills the law that requires just compensation for sin by taking sin's punishment on the cross of Calvary. Those who respond to this are not only seen from divine viewpoint as being perfected "in Christ," but, they are fit to be God's partners as Christ lives His life through them. God's holy law is put in their hearts and minds as Christ lives His life through them by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest (literally, 'Sabbath')." (Matthew 11:28).

Are you tired, restless, strung out? Step into divine viewpoint and recognize what God has done to make it possible for you to enjoy a faithful partnership with Him through Christ. Cease from your own brand of self-justifying labors and rest in all that Christ has accomplished on your behalf (Hebrews 4:10).

It has been said that religion is spelled: 'D-O.' Christianity is spelled: 'D-O-N-E.' When Jesus died on the cross, he said, "It is finished. It is accomplished. Paid in full." For the Christian, the true Sabbath is a person. Rest in Who He is and what He has done. Let Him live through you. Christ is your Sabbath, a sign of the everlasting covenant. He provides the R & R of rest and relaxation because we are no longer living under the law. He calls upon us to respond to the New Covenant of Grace with Remembrance and Reliance.