ADONAI [the LORD] delights in those who revere Him,
in those who trust in His lovingkindness.  Psalm 147:11, TLV

Monday Blahs?         Ahh. Mondays. For many, it is the beginning of the workweek, and the relaxation or fun activities of the weekend are but memories and conversations around the watercooler.

That’s one perspective of Monday.

Did you know the Scriptures only have one day of the week that has a name? Shabbat — the Sabbath. According to the Bible, the Sabbath begins Friday at sundown and ends sundown Saturday.

What about the other days of the week? They are known not as Gregorian calendar names — which are named after gods, by the way — but each day is more like a countdown. Sunday is known as “Six Days to Shabbat”, Monday, “Five Days to Shabbat,” and so on.

That simple act shows reverence for GOD’s very first Biblical festival (Genesis 2:2-3; Leviticus 23:3), Shabbat. A festival celebrated every week.

Too Holy for Fun?

Does that mean we don’t go fishing or swimming or to the museum on the weekend? Visiting loved ones? Of course not. It’s only that our priorities shift. We look forward to Shabbat, then the other activities!

Now that’s a paradigm change. Every day before Shabbat is an anticipation to rest in the LORD, to praise Him, to fellowship with family and loved ones. We’re not only revering the celebration but revering our Creator — our Abba.

Halleluyah!

How good it is to sing praises to our God.
How pleasant and fitting is praise.  (vs. 1, TLV)

Here’s the best part. According to today’s verse, GOD delights in us with this shift in our priorities.

Have you ever noticed it is difficult to doubt our Father and praise Him at the same time? We can share the whirlwind of our concerns, but our landing place — our resting place — can be praise. Praise takes us out of our heads and turns our minds to reverence and trust that He’s got this. No matter how many times it takes to remind us.

And when that happens, the Creator of the Universe smiles.

Think More About It

Have you changed your paradigm? Is His rest the highlight of your week?

Until tomorrow, enjoy the Monday praise! Please continue to pray for peace. God bless you!

Praying for Israel—Prayer Prompt

I have set ADONAI always before me.
Since He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
So my heart is glad and my soul rejoices.
My body also rests secure. Psalm 16:8-9, TLV

Let’s pray for that secure rest for Israel. The rest that can only come from setting the LORD before them. Amen? God bless you!