Scripture Reading: Nehemiah 7:73, Nehemiah 8:1-12, Exodus 23:12, Psalm 92:1-5, Psalm 116:1-19, Isaiah 58:1-14
Start each day by reading the Scripture. During this reading plan, we’ll then use the summary provided here to guide our discussion around the daily reading.
The rhythms of rest God has established allow us to experience delight and refreshment in His presence.
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61 thoughts on "Delight in the Sabbath"
Jesus, you are my sabbath. Here is my life. ❤️
Today felt so far from a Sabbath. Lord, may I look for you in the hurry and worry.
Lord you are good and God is good!
I so needed to hear this ❤️ thank you
Rhonda, I would so love to join if you start a group.
Amen
Amen
Andrea, my current minister takes his on Thursdays. He said lits take theirs on Mondays but he feels after Sunday worship “things” pop up. If he does Thursday it give time to get through that and refresh for the coming Sunday.
♥️ a bit late on the last reading but I have to say I have a new and better appreciation for taking a Sabbath.
Rest and refreshed in His presence.
@elizabeth Magee- honestly in the first 12weeks postpartum I think your physical rest (sleep!) is top priority. & TONS of grace. If you can get to church on Sunday that is amazing – if not maybe some worship music while you catch up on laundry or dishes and cleaning bottles! Maybe on your commute you listen to a sermon. When you’re not working get outside, go for a walk. If your spouse or family can help watch the baby (even during their naps), go do something just for you! Your energy is a precious commodity for the first 6 months (sometimes the first year) and your mental health will hopefully thank you for using some of your mental space to think about the Lord & pray to draw near to Him! I’ve had 2 kiddos and the first 6 months we’re not ideal in terms of my quiet times and sabbaths – but I made getting to church on Sundays a big priority! I hope this helps!! <3
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Dear Shes thank you so much for your prayers! I was able to get on 2 flights and sit in the airport with minimal discomfort. Here’s to a blessed weekend
Another wonderful study! Have a wonderful weekend She’s. Next week we start the Lent readings! Hard to believe!
Any advice for finding time to rest in God/practice Sabbath with a newborn while working full-time?
Happy Friday Shes! Praying you all have a wonderful weekend. I always appreciate the insight on being single. The other side of the situation can always be painful as well. @MICHELLE PATIRE I too have a cousin who had a similar situation but unfortunately she got married this last august. I was honestly sick to my stomach the entire wedding thinking about a mistake she could be making. She mentioned several times leading up to the wedding she would have called it off if she knew wouldn’t lose any money on the wedding. Such a sad situation. @SARAH D. Praying for your video date! @REBEECA W. Praying you start to feel better! Praying for all you ladies who’ve asked for prayers. It’s my last day in England and I’m so sad to be leaving! It went by so quickly but I am so thankful to get to spend some time with my good friends. One who lives here now.
Yes, let us be refreshed in His presence! This is a concept I’m still learning. I hope we can all learn the true meaning of rest in our lives.
This study has helped me to really think about the areas of my life that I am striving (in my own strength) in. There is rest in His presence and refreshment in His rhythms of rest. No need to strive any more.
Good day she’s,
I really love Isaiah 58. It is such a blunt message and my go to read when I do a fast. I usually meditate on this passage beforehand of why I fast, and I pray along these verses to get my heart intention right before the Lord, along with repentance. I definitely do not want to fast in vain. The theme of conditional clauses are throughout Isaiah 58. If you do this, I the Lord will do this. If you turn away from doing your own pleasures, and let Me be your pleasure and delight, I will cause you to ride on high places of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob (Isaiah 58:13-14). If you don’t, you might be on low places of the earth and won’t have what Jacob had. You notice something? He lets us act first- what an honor. May we act wisely and humbly before our God (Micah 6:8).
PRAYING….
@Rebecca: full recovery of the cold and a wonderful vacay with your sister.
@JB: hope and joy to replace any despair you might be feeling. I would suggest you to take a nice long bath (fizzy bath bomb if you have some handy), then sing and dance, cook your favourite dish/dessert, then sing and dance. Might sound silly but works for me lol. Writing out on a journal also helps clarity in thinking.
@Sarah D: for your virtual date, may God bless you with joy, wisdom, and His guidance with clarity.
@Michelle P: <3 I will pray for your friend. Unequally yoked with a non-christian spouse can raise many major conflicts, life long frustration and tears later on.
@Searching: for your friend’s visions, restoration and healing.
@Dorothy: missed your comment, but joining Searching to wish you a happy belated birthday. May God bring all the good gifts from up above to shower you in His abundant goodness.
@ERB: miss you and lovely to know you are reading alongside with us incognito. Hope your brother is doing well. Sending prayers for good health, peace and joy.
@Linkdak: relief/healing from pain, and a good safe trip ahead.
Be blessed dear sisters.
May we rest and rejoice in our Sabbath, for God is our delight and rest.
Upon reading Nehemiah 10:8 I couldn’t help but “latch onto” the last part of it, “Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!”” I feel this could ring true for many of us at some point in each of our lives. I’ll be putting this on an index card an putting it up in my apartment. Also, as I have mentioned before I have a devotional Bible and it occasionally has little snippets titled “Treasure of Truth”, next to the Isaiah verses was this “Treasure of Truth” — “Only God can carry the weight of the world.” After reading this I knew I needed to share it and I also needed to heed it as well as heeding what God had to say in the verses in Isaiah.
Be blessed and God, Christ and the Holy Spirit EXPECT you to take a sabbath day, it does not have to be Saturday or Sunday but you NEED sabbath time sisters.
Going to church with my family is the highlight of my week. ❤️
Good Morning Sister She, Donna
Yes! I noticed & pondered that reference as well. “all who could listen with understanding”…”those who could understand”. My mind, without consulting any commentary: Ezra is reading from the Book of Law as called by God. He reads aloud…many hours!!! (daybreak to noon) …high on a platform. Stand still people!! Stop & pay attention!! Seek & you will find!! The Israelites are implored to return to God & remember their vows to uphold the Law. May these words “forever be on their lips”. Then they would “call the sabbath a delight”. Honor it by “not going their own ways or seeking their own pleasures”.
I believe we are called continuously to “read, remember, reflect, return” again & again to scripture. As said, MANY, Many, many times “His works are magnificent”! Give the Lord His day. his due. Amen & Amen
P.S.: I want to work toward my practicing Sabbath …evening Friday to evening Saturday.
This study of rest has made me slow down and focus on time with God, scriptural study, and rest in Him. I had always associated rest with sleep and there have been many years when I didn’t get enough. Thank you SRT and to you ladies who comment regularly. You are truly a gift to us. Prayers for those grieving, dealing with chronic pain, loneliness, and heartbreak. Know that we are your prayer warriors, praying when you might find it too difficult to pray for yourself.
Prayers for healing, Rebecca !! I just got over a cold myself. May you find balance in rest and movement and drink plenty of fluids. God will heal you :)
Reading this this morning, it hit me that we are made for God’s design. I’m not the one who’s supposed
Thank you @Searching and @Mercy for agreeing in prayer for Tiffany. I also love that you both shared your stories with @Taylor.
It’s crazy how some of you mentioned that you knew even on your wedding day that you shouldn’t be getting married. I have a very close friend engaged to be married and she is a believer but her fiance is not. She is trying her best to walk with the Lord and trust Him to lead her. She wants to get married and of next year, when her fiance has returned from his deployment overseas (military). I went with her to look at a venue last week which was so fun. But up to this point, I have been saying, “God is she really going to go through with this? Is she going to be married?” Tbh, I don’t know if it’s what is best for her, being he doesn’t put God first.
Her fiance is in the military and has just signed up for 6 more years of service without consulting her first. He is deployed right now for 11 months. I’m just gonna say my friends name is “Brittany” to keep her identity private. But I hear your stories Shes and am trying to stay encouraged that she ultimately will heed God’s voice. The Lord has told me to tread lightly and do my best to love and support her, despite my hesitancy towards her getting married. It’s a fine line. But I know she knows Jesus and He promises to work all things together for good. But I pray she doesn’t need to learn the hard way, you know?
Dear Shes, asking for prayer. I’m on vacation with my sisters and I have caught a terrible cold. I feel so lousy. Please pray that it would run its course quickly so I can enjoy this special time with my sisters. (We live far apart so these times together are precious) Thanks! Praying for you JB, that you will begin to feel the comfort of Jesus as you continue to draw near to him. Lifting all in love and prayers.
Praying for you, JB, that the Lord will lift your depression and you will find peace and joy in Him.
Good morning sisters, something in Nehemiah 8, stood out to me this morning and wondered if any could shed light. In verse 2 it talks about Ezra bringing out the law to the men, women and “all who could listen with understanding”. In verse 3 it again use the term “those who could understand”. Do you know if he is referencing the Levites and Ezra? Just wondering! May you find your Sabbath rest this weekend. Prayers for those asked and on hearts.
CEE GEE, same here!
JB, praying for you ❤️
J B, thanks for sharing your heart with us. I am praying for you, that God will give you rest and envelope you in His peace. You are loved!
LADIES, are any of you having issues with getting to He Reads Truth through the internet site? My husband gets a 404 error on his computer the last 2 days. Thanks for any help!
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13 “If you keep from desecrating the Sabbath,
from doing whatever you want on my holy day;
if you call the Sabbath a delight,
and the holy day of the Lord honorable;
if you honor it, not going your own ways,
seeking your own pleasure, or talking business; 14 then you will delight in the Lord,
and I will make you ride over the heights of the land,
and let you enjoy the heritage of your father Jacob.”
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. – Isaiah 58:13-14. THEN YOU WILL FIND DELIGHT (other versions say FIND YOUR JOY) IN THE LORD. More proof that sabbath is for us. What a wonderful study this has been- really hoping that I can purposefully sabbath with God and make it a rhythm in life!!
Isaiah 58 (portion of v. 13-14) on honoring the Sabbath:
“If you honor it by refusing ‘business as usual,’making money, running here and there—
Then you’ll be free to enjoy God!'”
Great summation for our study!
ERB, I, too, have missed your insight and thoughtful shares, but totally understand ‘staying in the background’. Prayers for your health and your family. Just SO GOOD to ‘see’ you! Thanks for letting us know you are ok!
I have learned so much from this study and look forward to next week! Rest and be blessed on the Sabbath.
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I am praying for you JB. Hold steady and tight.
This really clarified questions I had about how to keep the Sabbath and still serve others. I had just asked God yesterday to help me understand what He wanted me to do. He is always so good to answer when we just ask.
oh @J B, I hear the weariness and defeat in your voice, but you did get something, God’s word will not come back void! Just you being here, and reading the scripture, you will find rest!! It may not flip on instantly, but He is holding you and comforting! Hugs!! Stay with us, and keep going!
Good Morning She’s!
Hoping good rest for all of you in our Lord and Savior, Almighty God. I always feel in need of rest just due to chronic back pain for 18 years. I know when I do too much, or am “up” too long. It’s a great juggling task of sitting, standing, walking, and laying. And when I don’t rotate, I end up hurting much more. I guess that is how I see adding a good balance in our walk with the Lord…making sure to balance worshipping, praying and meditating, and resting in his presence. It really helps us get the most out of our unity with Him, by his mercy.
I can’t believe it is time already for our Lent Study!! Looking forward to that! Also, I hope a revival like in Kentucky, hits everywhere! The Jesus Revolution comes out next week, and I think it will help put revival back and touch lots of lost people! Be sure to go see it and invite friends! Feb 24th is starts!
I am very tired and overwhelmed. I wanted to get more out of this study, but it was just hard for me to “get it”. I am very depressed going into Lent and just want to be nearer to God. I know He is close. I am thankful for this group. Praying for all of you.
@LindaK-Praying for you at this moment hoping you will have some relief from the nerve pain as you travel. It is very painful and uncomfortable I know! My group at church that we just began is more of a support group where we can discuss our issues/pain and turn it over to the Lord. It really does help just know other people “get it!” We don’t follow a book, although the leader did give us “Healing the Sick” by TJ Osborne. I am thinking of starting an online chronic pain group that is more structured as a study and following a book I really found helpful. We could come together once week and discuss as we do here after a reading. I would love to have you join?! (and anyone else that suffers with chronic pain!)
Thank you all for encouraging us in our singleness!! It’s appreciated haha. Thankful for the prayers. I would love continued prayer as I am going to video with a guy I met on the Christian dating app tonight!! I am nervous but excited haha. Prayers that I wouldn’t overthink things and just take one step at a time, and focus on getting to know him more. From what I can tell so far he seems like a nice guy and genuine. Jesus is still the center no matter what! Have a great day all, ready for the weekend.
Thank you ladies for your prayers, encouragement, and advice <3 It really means so much to me! I am so thankful and blessed by our SRT community :) This study has been so great learning how important rest is and how resting comes from a place of trust, not obligation.
I hope everyone has a blessed weekend! "See" you all on Monday!
I love that you gathered that from today’s scripture! What a beautiful way to spend our Sabbath. Thank you for sharing, Lucille!
Same here! We Sabbath from noon on Friday to noon on Saturday. It is becoming our delight. Time with grandkids, each other and the Lord.
Prayers for you and your time away
ERB – ❤️ so good to see you
So much to take in with today’s Scripture readings. Especially the Bible study, or rather the scroll study, in Nehemiah 8:6-8 with praise, worship, teaching and explaining until God’s word was understood. And in Isaiah, rebuke for what I would call hypocrisy in fasting which can apply to any aspect of our lives – where we are focused on drawing attention to ourselves but pretending we are only doing it for God’s glory. Lots to think about.
I second the thoughts of MERCY, LAUREL and TRACI GENDRON yesterday that were directed to our single sisters, especially TAYLOR, SARAH D and KIMBERLY Z who have shared with us. My situation was similar to Traci’s in that I jumped ahead of the Lord in choosing a mate (although he was pillar of the church), stood at the end of aisle with my dad thinking that I shouldn’t do this, ended up divorced in less than 3 years, and then met my husband when neither of us were interested in marriage – and that was 30 years ago. I think I have said this before and others have pointed out – if your heart is not aligned with Lord, if you date/marry someone outside of His will – it can take misery to a whole new level. And echoing yesterday’s thoughts – you not only still have your own problems/issues to handle, you also have your spouse’s stuff. Focus on your relationship with the Lord, praying for wisdom and guidance. ❤️
DOROTHY – Happy Belated Birthday! Sorry I am late – I wrote down the right date but on the wrong page :/. Hope it was a great day for you. ❤️
MICHELLE PATIRE – I too love seeing the Gospel in the Old Testament. Jesus is there throughout. Praying for Tiffany.
DEBBIE – PURSUED BY HIM – thank you for your testimony!
DARCI MICHELLE – praying for your unspoken request, God knows the need.
ERICA CHRISTIAN – praying for your mom Crystal and her medical team
LINDAK – praying for your sciatic pain to be resolved.
Prayer request for a dear friend of mine who’s having vision issues and is waiting to find out if issues are treatable.
KELLY (NEO) – I echo your list, and also both ANGIE’s
KELLY (NEO) My dear sister, thank you for your sweet thoughts and prayers!! I am still here and present everyday, just haven’t been commenting.. but I think and pray for all you dear sisters very often!! Such treasures and truths God has given and is still giving us!! He is on the move!! May all He is doing, showing, and adjusting become LIVNG in us!!! May His LIGHT shine and be noticed first, and may we REST, TRUST and ABIDE in & with Him always!!! Much love to all you dear sisters!! Xoxo
I’ve realized that I’ve made the Sabbath about me finding physical rest for years and was so caught up in it being a specific day that I’ve missed what Sabbath truly is. A time to find my rest in the presence of my Lord. I must decrease so He can increase in me. Wow! How something we’ve read over and over suddenly opens up our eyes to God’s plan. Selah ❤️
Amen and hallelujah!
Amen and kallelujia
Thank you Lord for your rest and your promises with our devoted rest to you. ❤️
Thank you that I can declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night, – Psalms 92:2
2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night, – Psalms 92:2
Diana Davis. Yes! I like that you brought in the family for the Sabbath. Life isn’t perfect, and things happen, but I can’t help but believe that keeping the Sabbath with our families will have lifelong blessings for us and them.
Lindak, I am praying your back pain will be relieved and you will be able to fully enjoy your trip to Montgomery. That instead of pain, the love of Jesus will radiate in and from you.
The Sabbath unifies family and sets priorities for them. It refreshes us spiritually and physically. We can gather together for worship and reflect on God without the stress of our everyday activities. Make the time for God!
Good morning Shes! I can not believe that I am posting this early but I am asking for prayers. I will be traveling this morning and am experiencing sciatic pain. This trip was planned a while back, so at that time my pain was not as bad. My prayer is that I will be able to travel and enjoy the trip to Montgomery. Rhonda J I am interested in what you learn in your chronic pain group. Have a great day everyone ❤️
“13 “If you keep from desecrating the Sabbath. . .
14 then you will delight in the Lord”
Loved this connection. Not that honoring the Sabbath delights God, but that when we practice rest WE get the delight.
ERICA CHRISTIAN – praying for your mom.
ADB – has your former nanny had the heart transplant?
Missing VICTORIA E, ERB, JENNIFER LOVES JESUS, SKYLOR HILTON, HEIDI, and TINA ❤️