May 21: The Restoration of the Sabbath

May 21: The Restoration of the Sabbath

Scripture: "And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places... and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach..." — Isaiah 58:12

The Sabbath was the "Crown of Plan A"—the "Sanctuary in Time" where God and man met in "unbroken communion." But the Sabbath was "marred" by "tradition" and "neglect." God’s "Plan B" is the "Restoration of the Sabbath"—the "repairing of the breach" that has been made in His "Holy Day."

The "Truth of the Sabbath" is that it is a "Gift of Love," not a "Burden of Rules." It is a day to "delight in the Lord" and to "rest from our own work." By "keeping the Sabbath," we are "acting out" the "Plan B" of Redemption—recognizing that "our salvation" is "His work," not ours.

The Sabbath is also a "Health Sanctuary." It provides the "weekly rhythm" of "rest and restoration" that our bodies and minds "crave." It is the "Plan B" for "preventing burnout" and "reconnecting with the Creator." This is the "Love of God" in "Temporal Form."
Be a "Repairer of the Breach" today. Honor the Sabbath as a "delight." Use it to "rebuild" your "spiritual strength" and to "restore" your "focus on God." In "keeping the Sabbath," you are "keeping the Truth" of your "Identity" as a "Child of the King."

Reflection Questions:
How has the "Sabbath" been a "Sanctuary" for me lately?
What "breach" in my "Sabbath-keeping" (attitude or practice) needs "repairing"?
How can I make the Sabbath a "delight" for others in my life?

Source: Inspired by The Great Controversy, Ellen G. White; BRI articles on the Sabbath.