Good Work - Day 22
Day 22 - Tuesday, October 15
Read Exodus 20:8-11
Highlight
The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt for over four-hundred years. Then the Lord sent Moses to rescue His people and take them back to the land promised to their father’s Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is in this exodus from Egypt and trek to the Promise Land that God meets His people on Mount Sinai to instruct them in the way they should live.
Commands and rules are often thought of as restrictive and limiting on what a person can do. While there is some truth to that, there is often a reason behind the command and rules that has the best interest of the person or people in mind. God’s law to His people was for their best interest. The particular command we look at today - remembering and keeping the Sabbath day holy - has a greater weight than one might expect. For the people at the time, a day off from work was unheard of. The Egyptians had worked them every day in all seasons and contexts. Therefore, to have a day of no work and simple rest in God was something they were going to have to learn and refocus their way of thinking. It might be that we too need to learn and refocus our way of thinking about rest.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Exodus 20:8-11
Highlight
The Israelites were enslaved in Egypt for over four-hundred years. Then the Lord sent Moses to rescue His people and take them back to the land promised to their father’s Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It is in this exodus from Egypt and trek to the Promise Land that God meets His people on Mount Sinai to instruct them in the way they should live.
Commands and rules are often thought of as restrictive and limiting on what a person can do. While there is some truth to that, there is often a reason behind the command and rules that has the best interest of the person or people in mind. God’s law to His people was for their best interest. The particular command we look at today - remembering and keeping the Sabbath day holy - has a greater weight than one might expect. For the people at the time, a day off from work was unheard of. The Egyptians had worked them every day in all seasons and contexts. Therefore, to have a day of no work and simple rest in God was something they were going to have to learn and refocus their way of thinking. It might be that we too need to learn and refocus our way of thinking about rest.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Posted in Good Work