06/09/2026
Happy Monday! Pastor Ryan preached a great sermon yesterday on being called to REST.
In Exodus 16:13-23, God provided the Israelites with manna from heaven. Moses told them to gather what they needed, to gather enough for the people in their tent, and to trust God that they would have enough. But some took too much, and it went bad. On the 6th day, Moses tells them to gather twice as much and rest the next day. So they did, and the bread was fine. He told them to eat it on the Sabbath, as God would not be providing bread in the field that day. However, on the 7th day, some still went to gather bread, but none was there. They did not trust that God’s provision was enough. God tells Moses that he has given them the Sabbath to rest, and has provided twice as much bread on the 6th day. So they then rested on the 7th day.
They thought that if they rested, there would be no food. We do this too. We don’t trust that God will be enough. God calls us to trust him, however when we trust in ourselves, God still provides as he did with the Israelites. His faithfulness is greater than our fear.
Sabbath wasn't designed to be done alone. It is a covenant practice. The Israelites gathered for each other. When someone doesn’t rest, it affects everyone. Pastor Will’s sabbatical is not an individual act, but a communal one. He is spending time with God, and everyone is covering for him so he can do that. We are meant to cover for each other.
To rest is to declare we are a free people. God’s people. Because our work is not our worth or identity. You are not what you produce. You are who he redeemed! God will give you rest. But not because of how much work you do. Rest is not laziness or weakness. It is obedience and being in the presence of God. Be in a place of rest and a place of trust as God will provide. When we fall short, remember God will still provide. As the bread was still there the next day, even when the Irealities didn't trust.
Try a Sabbath practice this week, and ask God what he is calling you into for this season of Sabbatical rest.
See you on Sunday, 10 AM!