The Fourth Commandment: “Remember the Sabbath Day, to Keep It Holy” Exodus 20:8 KJV

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The Fourth Commandment: “Remember the Sabbath Day, to Keep It Holy” (Exodus 20:8 KJV)

Genesis 2:2 KJV  “And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.”

 

Many people today feel tired all the time. They rush, worry, and rarely stop to rest. As a counselor, I often hear people say, “I feel burned out, but I can’t slow down.” The Fourth Commandment speaks directly to this problem.

The Fourth Commandment requires us to set apart time for rest and worship, as God has commanded. In simple words, God calls His people to pause, rest, and focus on Him.

What the Fourth Commandment Means

The Bible says, “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8 KJV).

Matthew 12:8 KJV  “For the Son of man is Lord even of the sabbath day.”

 Mark 2:27-28 KJV   ²⁷And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

²⁸Therefore the Son of man [Jesus] is Lord also of the sabbath.

This commandment teaches that:

God designed people to need rest

Rest is not laziness; it is obedience

Time with God restores the soul

Jesus is Lord over the sabbath. (New Testament)

***Jesus often called Himself the Son of Man because the title carries deep meaning from the Old Testament and explains both His humanity and His authority.

In Daniel Son of Man is prophecy of Jesus the Messiah. Daniel 7:13–14 (KJV)

 

The Sabbath is about stopping regular work so we can remember who provides for us—God.

Colossians 2:16  KJV “Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:”

Why People Resist Rest

Many people feel guilty resting. Psychology shows that people tie their worth to productivity. If they are not working, they feel anxious or unimportant.

But God never designed people to work nonstop. When people ignore rest, stress increases, relationships suffer, and faith weakens.

The Sabbath teaches trust. Resting says, “God is in control, even when I stop.”  Refresh,

 

 

Bible Stories

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath — Doing Good Is Right

Jesus showed that helping people is more important than strict rules. One Sabbath, He met a man with a withered hand in the synagogue.

Religious leaders watched closely, hoping to accuse Him because healing was considered work and not done on the Sabbath. Jesus asked a powerful question:

Mark 3:4 (KJV)
“Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill?”

Then Jesus healed the man’s hand. This miracle showed that doing good, helping others, and showing mercy are always right—even on the Sabbath.

Another time, Jesus healed a woman who had been bent over for many years.

Luke 13:16 (KJV)
“And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham… be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?”

Jesus also regularly taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath, showing that learning God’s Word and helping people belong together.

Luke 4:16 (KJV)
“And, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.”

These moments teach that the Sabbath is not only about rest—it is also about worship, learning, and acts of mercy.

Mary Anoints Jesus’ Feet — Choosing What Matters Most

In Luke 10  KJV, Jesus visited the home of Martha and Mary. Martha worked hard preparing and serving, but Mary sat at Jesus’ feet and listened to His teaching. Martha felt frustrated and asked Jesus to tell Mary to help her serve. Jesus gently answered:

Luke 10:41–42 (KJV)
“Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.”

Spending time with Jesus is the most important work of all. Worship, learning, and love must come before busyness.

 

 

 

What Keeping the Sabbath Looks Like Today

Keeping the Sabbath does not mean strict rules. It means intentional focus. It can include:

Always making thyself clean (bathing)

Worship: Preferable to Church-  House of the Lord

Praise, Prayer and Scripture

Rest from regular work, cleaning or cooking (cook and clean the day before)

No texting or work calls

Do not watch unholy TV shows or entertainment

Listen to Holy Music  to relax. 

Time with family

Refrain from strong dring except wine for communion. 

In the Old Testament, they did not light fire. 

 

Gratitude and reflection

The goal is not control—it is renewal.

How This Commandment Heals the Mind

I see healing when people allow themselves to rest without guilt. Rest calms the nervous system and renews faith.

 

 

The Sabbath teaches:

You are more than what you produce

God provides, not just effort

Life has rhythm, not pressure

Grace When We Struggle to Rest

Many people struggle to keep this commandment. God invites growth, not shame. When we repent and return to rest, God restores strength.

 

✔️Reflection Question

What would change in your life if you trusted God enough to truly rest one day each week?

 

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A CALL TO SALVATION:

John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Romans 10:9-10⁹That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. ¹⁰For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.

 John 3:5-6⁵Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. ⁶That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ⁷