A Song of Rest

Psalm 92

The Sabbath:

the Sabbath is the seventh day of the week, on which the children of Israel were to rest, in remembrance that God created the universe in six days and then “rested” on the seventh day.

Just like the Passover and the Festival of Shelters were ment to holy days of remembrance, the Sabbath was a regular reminder.

God established the Sabbath pattern in creation. In Genesis 2 He made the world in six days and rested the seventh day.

In Exodus 12, God’s people have not been resting-they have been slaves in Egypt.

God tells Moses that is all about to change. God has one more act of judgment to bring down on the pride of Egypt, and then His people will be free to leave Egypt and head towards the promise land to rest in God’s provision for them.

God saved them from slavery, and Sabbath was instituted to keep them from forgetting what God had done.

Moses instructed the people to

Deuteronomy 5:15 “Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and the Lord your God brought you out of there with a strong hand and an outstretched arm. That is why the Lord your God has commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.”

And in Exodus 31 the Lord tells Moses exactly what He should think about the Sabbath.

Exodus 31:12–13“The Lord said to Moses, “Tell the Israelites: You must observe my Sabbaths, for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, so that you will know that I am the Lord who sanctify you.”

This was a symbolized in the way to celebrate the Sabbath.

They were to put down tools of labor. Do not do anything that even looks like work on the Sabbath.

Why? SO that you remember what it looked like when I saved you. They had no power in defeating Egypt.

God’s intent for giving the Sabbath to Israel was not that they would remember creation, but that they would remember their Egyptian slavery and the Lord’s deliverance.

Note the requirements for Sabbath-keeping:

a person placed under that Sabbath law could not leave his home on the Sabbath (Exodus 16:29),

he could not build a fire (Exodus 35:3)

he could not cause anyone else to work (Deuteronomy 5:14).

A person breaking the Sabbath law was to be put to death (Exodus 31:15; Numbers 15:32–35).

An examination of New Testament passages reveals four important points concerning the Sabbath:

1) Whenever Christ appears in His resurrected form and the day is mentioned, it is always the first day of the week (Matthew 28:1, 9, 10; Mark 16:9; Luke 24:1, 13, 15; John 20:19, 26). 2) The only times the Sabbath is mentioned from Acts through Revelation, the occasion is Jewish evangelism, and the setting is usually a synagogue (Acts 13—18). Paul wrote, “To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews” (1 Corinthians 9:20). Paul did not go to the synagogue to fellowship with and edify the saints, but to convict and save the lost. 3) After Paul states, “From now on I will go to the Gentiles” (Acts 18:6), the Sabbath is never again mentioned. 4) Instead of suggesting adherence to the Sabbath day, the remainder of the New Testament implies the opposite (including the one exception to point 3, above, found in Colossians 2:16).

Read: Psalm 92

1. Remember God’s saving grace. vv.1-5

Psalm 92 describes the believer as…

Giving thanks and singing. v.1

Declaring God’s faithfulness morning and night. v.2

Enjoying instruments. v.3

Rejoicing and shouting for joy. v.4

Talking about the greatness of God’s work and thoughts. v.5

There is an overflow of joy in the love and grace of God.

Questions:

How does a time of rest help us reflect on God’s Work in our lives?

Why is the “Sabbath not only important for our physical bodies but also for our faith?

2. Remember the way of wisdom. vv.6-9

“Wisdom sayings in the bible often distinguish between the way things appear now and they way things finally turn out in the end.”

The psalmist is saying, things aren’t what they seem.

It seems like the wicked sprout like grass, and it may look like they are flourishing, but the psalm urges us: don’t forget that sin destroys.

We must pursue God’s wisdom, not worldly wisdom.

Questions:

How should we react, as followers of Christ, to the truth of sin’s destruction in our lives?

Why should it drive us to repentance and humility?

When are we most likely to feel discouraged or hopeless while facing the future?

3. Remember the hope of the gospel. vv.10-15

Philippians 1:6 “I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

It is a promise of future flourishing for the believer.

The one who was praise God in the opening verses is not old in verses 12-15.

This person is strong in faith!

Earlier the person was planted in the house of the Lord, and this person hasn't faded away form the Lord.

This person is flourishing in the Lord!

How do we grow in out faith? Psalm 92 says to look at God’s grace in the past to to fuel perseverance in our present life, toward the confidence hop e of flourishing in the future.

God is the author and the finisher of our faith..not us.

“This psalm describes the perseverance of the believer, but even more it highlights the perceiving grace of God to keep us to the end.”

Questions:

How do verses 12-15 give us a picture of what is to come for those who pursue God’s righteousness?

What does it say about our belief in God when we dismiss His promises for us?

How can we encourage one another with hope when we are in the midst of despair and pain to remember all that God has done and will do?

“Our faith is energized by remembering God’s Word and His work on our behalf.”