Counsel #6 — The Joy Of Sabbath

Picture: Counsel #6 — The Joy Of SabbathCCL 53.1

The first Sabbath was a day of joy and abundance—a day to celebrate creation. But because of sin, most people now focus on what they shouldn’t do on Sabbath rather than what they can do. The result is a boring, unenjoyable day.^{[81]https://adventistreview.org/magazine-article/making-sabbath-a-delight/} Many people sleep - just waiting for the sun to finally set so they can have fun. This wasn’t God’s original plan! The truth is there are many things we can do on the Sabbath to fill us with joy and excitement every week. The Sabbath should and can be a wonderful experience.CCL 53.2

“If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight…. Then you shall delight yourself in the LORD; and I will cause you to ride on the high hills of the earth, and feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father.” Isaiah 58:13, 14CCL 53.3

“All who love God should do what they can to make the Sabbath a delight, holy and honorable. They cannot do this by seeking their own pleasure in sinful, forbidden amusements. Yet they can do much to exalt the Sabbath in their families and make it the most interesting day of the week.” Ellen White in Testimonies for the Church, vol. 2, p. 584.2CCL 53.4

Reflect: While keeping the Sabbath holy, what are five things you can do on the Sabbath to have fun and grow closer to God? For more ideas, see sabbathideas.org.CCL 53.5