On The Seventh Day He Rested

“And on the seventh day God ended His work which He had done;

and He rested on the seventh day..”

Genesis 2:2

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For the past 4 months, on the 7th day of the month, it would be a reminder of loss--of Andy’s passing on March 7th. As I write this, today is July 7th and today was no different. But as I sat with the Lord in my loss, He took my face and slightly turned it so that I could see…see HIM! I looked through my sorrow this morning as I long to do each morning. I fought to look through the pain of loss to find the face of Jesus. Some days are easier than others but none the least, I must look through the pain. He reminded me this morning what seven means to Him. Seven means completion. It means perfection and it brought Him rest. He rested on the 7th after He made the world and all that’s in it. When His work was done, He rested on the 7th day.

Andy gave his life completely to the Lord in August of 1997. But God gave me the promise of His salvation on August 8th, 1990. Seven years earlier the promise came in the midst of the pain of what I thought marriage was supposed to be--the pain of what I thought I could do as a believer in Christ (more on that later) and my expectation of what I deemed life to be, even as a believer.

Oh, what pain expectations can bring to a heart.

So another journey began that night in August of 1990. It was a journey that would last for 7 years to the very month when Andy received the promise that was given to me. I love to tell the story of how God restored my life through a promise given to me for another. WOW! I just got that. Think on that for a minute or two. On that day in August 1997, the promise of God’s love for Andy was given to me that changed me, changed our marriage, and saved Andy’s life. The promise brought us life during the next 7 years but was made perfect and complete in Christ that day 7 years later.

This morning God interrupted my sadness with His presence on this 7th day of July. And He redefined 7 for me. No longer will the 7th be a reminder of death, but of life. It is a reminder of a life that found rest through Christ. Glory be to God!

“You have turned my mourning into dancing for me;

You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent.

O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.”

Psalm 30:11-12 AMPC

I will not be silent of what God has done in me and for me--even in death. I will give thanks to You, my God, FOREVER!