Sabbath

Sabbath full of meaning today
Many people, and professing Christians in particular, might be shocked to learn that the seventh-day Sabbath-
--Yahweh’s commanded day of rest and communal worship---is not abrogated for the Christian today. It
remains very much in force, as shown throughout this booklet. It is full of meaning and supremely relevant to
the lives of all humanity. We are missing some of Yahweh’s most wonderful blessings if we ignore the
observance of His commanded day of rest.
True worship of Yahweh honors His commands concerning the Sabbath. In contrast, Sunday observance does
not rest on Yahweh’s authority or that of His Word, but on the authority of man. The hard question must be
asked whether Yahweh accepts such worship when His clear commands regarding His Sabbath are ignored.
Building proper relationship
How do we build this right relationship with Yahweh? We build through contact and communication with
Him. We talk to Him through prayer. He talks to us through His inspired Word, the Bible. These are vital keys
to a right relationship with Him.
“Steadfastly continue in prayer,” wrote Paul (Colossians 4:2). “Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In
everything give thanks for this is the will of Yahweh in Messiah Yahshua toward you,” he added
(1Thessalonians 5:16-18). “The prayer of the righteous one has great strength, having been made effective,”
wrote James (James 5:16).
Messiah Yahshua expected His followers to pray, telling them, “When you pray…” (Matthew 6:5-7; Mark
11:24; Luke 11:2). He gave them specific instruction about prayer and encouraged them that “it is always right
to pray, and not to faint” (Luke 18:1).
Yahweh’s Sabbath is an ideal time for additional prayer and contact with Him. By refraining from our usual
work and other activities on that day, we have additional time to spend with Him to build and strengthen our
relationship with Him.
The Sabbath is also an ideal time for Yahweh to speak with us. He instructs us through His Word, the Bible.
“Every scripture is Elohim-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness; so that the man of Elohim may be perfect, fully furnished for every good work,” Paul told
Timothy (2Timothy 3:16-17).
Not only does Sabbath observance help us understand Yahweh’s ways; it helps us better understand our own
thoughts and motivations, showing us where we can change to become more like Him. Hebrews 4:12 tells us
“For the word of Yahweh is living, and powerfully working, and sharper than every two-edged sword, even
piercing as far as the dividing apart of both soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge of the
thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
We should earnestly desire to study Yahweh’s word and learn more about it. “As newborn babes desire the
soul-nourishing milk, that you may grow by it,” we are told (1Peter 2:2).
David, a man after Yahweh’s own heart (Acts 13:22), understood that Elohim’s Word shows us the right way
to live: “By what shall a young man purify his way, to keep it according to your word…I have hidden your
word in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:9,11).
David used his time to think about Yahweh’s ways and how he could live a life more pleasing to Him. “I will
meditate in Your precepts and I will regard Your ways…Oh how I love Your law! It is my meditation all day,”
he wrote (Psalm 119:15,97).
Worship services on the Sabbath
Yahweh’s Sabbath is a time for fellowship with others of like mind, a time for mutually encouraging one
another. “And let us consider one another, to incitement of love and of good work, not forsaking the
assembling together of ourselves, as is the custom of some, but exhorting; and by so much more as you see the
Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
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