A Sign that Distinguishes God’s People

As the Sabbath was the sign that distinguished Israel when they came out of Egypt to enter the earthly Canaan, so it is the sign that now distinguishes God’s people as they come out from the world to enter the heavenly rest.
The observance of the Sabbath is the means ordained by God of preserving a knowledge of Himself and of distinguishing between His loyal subjects and the transgressors of His law.
It [the Sabbath] belongs to Christ. . . . Since He made all things, He made the Sabbath. By Him it was set apart as a memorial of the work of creation. It points to Him as both the Creator and the Sanctifier. It declares that He who created all things in heaven and in earth, and by whom all things hold together, is the head of the church, and that by His power we are reconciled to God. For, speaking of Israel, He said, “I gave them my sabbaths, to be a sign between me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord that sanctify them”–make them holy. Then the Sabbath is a sign of Christ’s power to make us holy. And it is given to all whom Christ makes holy. As a sign of His sanctifying power, the Sabbath is given to all who through Christ become a part of the Israel of God. . . .
To all who receive the Sabbath as a sign of Christ’s creative and redeeming power, it will be a delight. Seeing Christ in it, they delight themselves in Him. The Sabbath points them to the works of creation as an evidence of His mighty power in redemption. While it calls to mind the lost peace of Eden, it tells of peace restored through the Saviour. And every object in nature repeats His invitation, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.
The Sabbath is a golden clasp that unites God and His people.
Maranatha p. 244
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for River and family that they will have clarity of thought and come fully to Jesus. Esther
—–Please pray for Ernesto who has cellulitis in his leg so severe that they are talking amputation. Esther
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Dear Friends,

One night, as my grandfather, Edwin Harmon was walking in the forest looking for a good spot to set up camp for the night, suddenly he heard a sound penetrating the darkness. It sounded like a woman’s scream. Then the sound changed to a baby’s cry. It was coming from the railroad tracks. He concluded that someone was terribly injured and started hurrying in that direction. He wanted to help the one in such distress.

Suddenly, a man appeared walking in the opposite direction. He looked directly at my grandfather and said, “Do you hear that woman’s scream? That is not a woman: that is a mountain lion. They sometimes call like that to lure their prey. I saw him down by the tracks.”

How thankful my grandfather was for that man’s kindness. He had thought that he knew all he needed to know to survive in the forest, but he had not known this fact about mountain lions. If he had not met that man, (I have often wondered if the “man” was actually an angel.) he might have been a meal.

How often we, too, are tempted to feel self-sufficient. How many times we think we know everything and have everything under control, when, in reality, we know so little. As we trust to our own devices, we get ourselves in so many problems. Our life becomes tangled beyond our ability to straighten and we become frustrated and feel like giving up.

How much we need Someone to guide us, Someone to break the strong cords that bind us. Praise God!The Lord Jesus Christ is that Someone! With outstretched arms, He bids us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matt 11:28-30< He assures us, "I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." Jer 31:3 He will help us! We can trust Him with our very life! nbsp Let us respond to that great love as did David, "In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for anhouse of defense to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength." Psa 33:1-4 Let us "trust in the LORD with all (our) heart; and lean not unto (our) own understanding. In all (our) ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct (our) paths." Prov 3:5.6 Let us place our hand in the Hand of the One Who has promised, "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye." Psa 32:8 Rose