A Concord Minute: A sabbath rest after the storm

“Observe the Sabbath Day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. …” - Deuteronomy 5:12-14a

That was quite the storm! In the early hours of Sunday, May 26 those winds came through and made a mess of things in Sikeston and the surrounding area. Within a few minutes trees were pushed over, buildings were lifted up, and our lives changed. The cacophony of bird chirpings are drowned out by the symphony of chainsaws and generators.

For some, this week will be a turning point in their lives — moving house, filling that house with new things, and reestablishing a new normal. For others, they were spared the trauma of losing life and limb, even if a few tree limbs were discovered on the ground. Hundreds of crews from the surrounding area are here to help get Sikeston (and other areas) back on our feet. Yet, will there be time to rest? Will Sikeston have a sabbath?

Moses and Israel had their own stress leaving Egypt. They lived in a wilderness free from slavery, free from oppressive rules, free to rest with their God. In Deuteronomy 5, Moses gives God’s words or commandments once more. One of those commandments is the third commandment which is to observe the sabbath day. This commandment is more than just “go to church.”

To reduce God’s commandments to simplistic summaries misses what God has intended for His people. It is true that the third commandment does invite God’s people to join Him in His House. The intention is not simply to have everyone home, but to provide rest and restoration in Christ’s Word and His gifts.

The Sabbath is meant for God to provide you rest and time away from our labors and all our work. How refreshing!

This weekend, many will be exhausted from the clean up. Many will be wondering what God is up to and how a loving God could do such a thing with this storm. The church is primed with God’s answers and comfort in Christ.

Thanks be to God that in Christ all things are under His feet. Christ has overcome the world in His death and resurrection. Christ is awaiting you in His House this weekend for a sabbath rest after the storm.

The Rev. Matthew Berry is pastor of Concordia Lutheran Church in Sikeston, Missouri. Based in Sikeston’s Historic North End, Concordia is a member congregation of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), a theologically conservative, biblically sound, Christ-centered church.