THE SABBATH AND JOY         

MEDITATION

"What to do on Sundays? 50 ideas to fight boredom!" 

A magazine is trying to get your attention with this headline. The day of rest is being crammed full with fun leisure-activities or action-packed trips. The main goal is to experience something that gives enjoyment. However, joy cannot be grasped. Pleasant and happy experiences may be repeatable, yet, as soon as they are gone, the accompanying emotions will vanish as well. What is left is the longing for more of those delightful experiences. Our world is crying out for happiness that is found in experiences. Yet, how can this desire for joy and happiness be fulfilled and not just remain a chasing after the wind? And what happens to it when the cloud of pain and sorrow darkens those wonderful experiences? The answers to these questions are simple and challenging at the same time. 

If joy was only connected to beautiful and happy God-given experiences, it would not be true joy. The joy that God gives to us through the Sabbath is much deeper and can never be taken away. He provides us with space and time for companionship with Him. When we are close to God, true joy becomes tangible; this kind of joy exceeds any conceivable desire for any other joy. We can be filled with profound joy in the presence of God, even though our soul is weeping. This particular joy equips us with a new perspective and gives us support in times of adversity. It flows directly from God’s heart into our hearts and is an expression of His love for us. 

If God himself rejoiced over His creation on the seventh day, how much more do we have a reason to rejoice, as we partner with Him in His Kingdom? When we realise that our lives are in the hands of an absolutely sovereign God, and that everything we have and need is found in Him, then our hearts can only rejoice. This is what true Sabbath means. 

Because of the joy He gives us and we have in Him, we can enjoy God’s gifts even more deeply; gifts like walking and admiring God’s creation, enjoying brunch with friends, or celebrating with the whole family. Sunday does not have to be a day of asceticism. We may enjoy it as a day of fellowship and celebration. 

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION  

• How do I express my joy of God on Sundays?    
• The Bible says: "For the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10) Are my strength and power defined by the joy of the Lord or by my circumstances?   
• Can I enjoy God’s gifts without always wanting more?

PRAYER TOPICS  

• We pray that God may show us anew how to enjoy the Sabbath with Him.   
• We pray for heavenly joy which revives our lives regardless of our circumstances.   
• We pray that the Sabbath is characterized by the Holy Spirit who kindles joy inside us.    
• We pray that our churches will celebrate with the power of abundant joy.    
• We repent for all those times when we focused on God’s gifts and lost sight of God, the giver.

SUGGESTED PRAYER 

Lord, we thank You because Your presence is all we need. In You we find joy in abundance. We lift our gaze to You and praise You, for You are our God and king. Thank You for showing us how we can honour and celebrate You on the Sabbath. Thank You for holding our lives in Your hands and that You are the source of our happiness. Amen.

Deborah Zimmermann, Director of 24-7 Prayer CH, Switzerland.