June 9, 2022

He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in . . . that He might preserve us alive. Deuteronomy 6:23,24

God’s gentle call, often a whisper, patiently beckons us to leave behind the thinking and practices that go against His plan for our holiness and genuine happiness. Yesterday we briefly looked at His patient and repeated call to Abram, whose heart was tender towards God—yet he and Sarah slipped back into a popular practice of paganism when Hagar was brought in to be used. They both learned a painful lesson, no doubt, for they never repeated the mistake. But the inevitable strife that resulted within the family and spread further outward (as history proves) is a sober reminder of consequences that are set in motion when man’s ideas are elevated above God’s instructions.

There are two institutions that were introduced into our world before sin made its entrance. The second is marriage (see Genesis 2:24) and the first is the Sabbath (vv.2-3). Satan’s attack toward these two precious gifts from God has been relentless. Why does our adversary work against these so diligently? Could it be because the marriage covenant between a man and a woman is intended by God to represent an unbroken covenant between Himself and the people who love Him? The family unit, as established by God, is a channel for joy and blessings that point to the Giver of life and every good gift. Sabbath rest with the LORD on His holy day (Isaiah 58:13) is a gift of time for us to rest from our work as God did from His. It is an exercise of faith in His provision for us: He created us, He redeemed us, and He is sanctifying—or recreating—us if we will allow.

The Sabbath points to God as Creator and Redeemer. Satan intensified his efforts to undermine His identity as Creator when the theory of evolution burst upon the scene in 1844. But long before that, he began working to undermine His identity as our Redeemer. There is an orderly way that both creation and redemption are presented in the Word. Both are processes. They are also intertwined, for the Omniscient One knew before the foundation of the world that He would give the life of His Son to redeem us from the dark influences that the adversary would bring and begin the process of recreating us.

God has not brought us out just to leave us totally helpless and subject to the devices of Satan, who always pursues those who desire to exit his domain (see Exodus 14:5-9). Our Redeemer wants to bring us in to His kingdom. It is the only kingdom that lasts for eternity. He deals ever so gently with us, but a lack of response to His truths may call for drastic measures to get our attention.

As a father pities his children, So the LORD pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes. Psalm 103:13-15

For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. Hebrews 4:10