Six days you are to gather it, but on the seventh day, the Sabbath, there will not be any.”

Nevertheless, some of the people went out on the seventh day to gather it, but they found none.  Then the Lord said to Moses, “How long will you refuse to keep my commands and my instructions? 29 Bear in mind that the Lord has given you the Sabbath; that is why on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. Everyone is to stay where they are on the seventh day; no one is to go out.”
Exodus 16:26-29

---

It’s hard for me to slow down, let alone stop, even when I know rest is in my best interest. For example, I almost always clean my plate at meals, though it would be better to save leftovers for tomorrow. As I’ve dug into this, I know that God has designed me to take a breath, to appreciate His goodness and trust He will provide instead of devouring what’s in front of me. Nevertheless, I do the opposite.

When we meet up with God’s people in the wilderness, many are bewildered because no manna miraculously showed up on day seven. Apparently, they overlooked the memo to collect double the day before and rest the next day. The word that stands out to me is “nevertheless,” as this is at the heart of their issue. Even though God promised to provide enough. Even though God said to gather two days of food for yourself and your family today because you need to rest tomorrow. Even though God said the leftovers from any other day of the week will spoil but the extra from today will last. Even though God gave them a better way, “nevertheless,” they ignored their need for rest.

God created you and me in His image, along with a wiring to rest “on the seventh day” as He did in the beginning (Gen. 2:2-3). Instead of choosing a “nevertheless” that turns away from our heavenly Father, I propose we flip the script. Today, when you find yourself afraid to embrace a sabbath rhythm—to slow down, to stop, to rest as God designed—declare a “Nevertheless, I will…” truth below.

Even when it’s hard for me to sabbath, to rest regularly as God designed:

• Nevertheless, I will honor God by slowing down intentionally one day a week.
• Nevertheless, I will trust God by believing He provides enough each day.
• Nevertheless, I will love God by reflecting on His goodness and faithfulness.
• Nevertheless, I will worship God by letting go of control to celebrate Him.
• Nevertheless, I will follow God by choosing to practice His sabbath rhythm.

Next Steps

• Which “Nevertheless, I will…” statement above speaks to you? Write it on a sticky note and place it as a reminder to flip the script, to turn toward God’s rhythm of rest today.
• Participate in a weekend worship service this week. Add it to your calendar and/or invite a friend to join you so you follow through.