God's Sabbath

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E NTERING INTO G OD ’ S S ABBATH R EST

sense of dependence within us, and this in turn enables God to do mightier and still mightier works through us. Of Elijah’s experience it is written: “It seemed to him that he was nothing, and that God was ev erything; and when he reached the point of renouncing self, while he clung to the Saviour as his only strength and righteousness, the answer came.” Review and Herald , May 26, 1891 par. 8. Stripped of all self-sufficiency, Elijah became a man mighty with God. Thus it will be with every one who, as Elijah did, learns to cling by faith to the promises of God. This is the class of people, who, finding the way to the Sabbath blessings, enter into and abide in God’s rest. They see themselves as they really are—inconspicuous elements in the infinite scheme of things— while they view God as the omnipotent Ruler of the universe, as well as Provider and Sustainer of all life. Elijah was a very busy person while pleading with God for the promised outpouring of rain. He spent none of that time sleep ing or in idleness. Likewise, those who truly keep the Sabbath will not find it a day of inactivity. God never intended the sacred hours of the Sabbath day to be wasted in sleep. The nightly hours of darkness have been provided for that purpose. The day time hours of the Sabbath are for that spiritual refreshment which is obtained by gaining broad and exalted views of the Most High. Not one second of its precious opportunities should be wasted. It is a day for being up early to commune with God in the freshness of the morning. Later, it is good to assemble with other believers for Bible study, singing hymns, and prayer, but the entire day should not be spent in this way. Helpful guidelines on how to keep the Sabbath are given in the following extract. “In order to keep the Sabbath holy, it is not necessary that we enclose ourselves in walls, shut away from the beautiful scenes of nature and from the free, invigorating air of heaven. We should in no case allow burdens and business transactions to divert our minds upon the Sabbath of the Lord, which He has sanctified. We Not a Time for Inactivity