Psalm 127:1-2

“Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise up early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for He grants sleep to those He loves.”

Have you seen the television commercial that shows three men in business attire looking down from their office to a crew of construction workers on the street below them? They smirk at the fact that only one man is working while three are standing around watching. All the while a young woman in their own office is the only one working while they watch the scene below. When she discovers a solution, they all rush around her to share the credit.

Labor Day is one of those days that is a contradiction in terms. It is not, in fact a day of labor, but a day when no labor is done. Well, with some notable exceptions. Let’s see if I can figure it out:

1. It is a day to honor those who labor. We all think we labor, so we honor ourselves.
2. Those who labor are to be honored. Since we consider ourselves as laborers, where is our honor?!
3. It is a day when many people do not have to go to work. So we work ourselves silly at home.
4. It is supposedly a day to rest from our labor. We will go back to our labor to rest from our “rest”?!

I am becoming so confused by it all, that my mind is in a whirl. I will leave it to you to get it all sorted out.

I think that it brings us to a distinct conclusion. The holidays which man establishes, very soon lose the understanding for which they were created. Each nation establishes holidays to pay homage to an event, such as Cinco de Mayo (May 5th), in Mexico, in tribute to the defeat on this date, of a French army. Honoring of presidents or kings in various nations, is also common.

Before long, however, the holiday itself is adored, and the reason for its establishment is hazy if not totally forgotten.

God has established His Feasts and Festivals as an ever present reminder of His work that has been completed, or remains to be completed. There are seven Feasts, as mentioned in Leviticus 23. Four of them are in the Spring of the year: Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, and Pentecost.

Many of us feel that these four Feast days are a symbol of events that have been completed in and through the work of Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

The three Fall Feasts; Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles, are possibly suggestive of prophesied events which are yet to be fulfilled: (Rapture of the Church), (Seven Year Tribulation), (Thousand Year Reign).

There is a time coming, when we will experience a true rest from our labors. We may, and I feel, should study about these Spiritual Feast days, but God calls us to a rest in Him as we watch the unfolding of prophecy around us.

I think I would like to leave with you with this thought. The real celebration of Labor Day is when we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, and find our rest in Him. Casting all of our cares upon Him, knowing that He cares for us and brings His beloved rest and peace.

Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.

- - - Pastor Cecil