Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalm 37:4

The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. – Jesus of Nazareth (Mark 2:27)

“I am not talking about putting you under the letter of the law. I am exploring the spirit of the Sabbath and its underlying principles. Why? So that you will learn to delight in ever-increasing intimacy with your Father in Heaven. And that journey begins by knowing He desires the same.” – Dwight A. Pryor

We recently completed Learning to Delight in God, a six-part devotional study with our founder (of blessed memory). But I don’t feel ready to move on, at least not quite yet. I want to offer some personal reflections to help you act on what you’ve heard, turning the knowledge of God into knowing him more.

Dwight died at 66 years of age in 2011 due to complications from the Rheumatoid Arthritis he had been afflicted with since he was a teenager. Though debilitated in body, he traveled the world, giving much-needed insights into every important biblical subject, drawing upon the language, literature, and cultural setting of Jesus and his early church. Dwight had the brilliant mind of a scholar and the burning, humble heart of a pastor. Most importantly, as the saying goes, he practiced what he preached.

No matter the subject, Dwight had a knack for identifying the main thing, scripturally speaking, and keeping it the main thing. For instance, as the title of this series implies, delighting in God is a lofty biblical aim. A goal Jesus helps us reach through practice.

One specific practice is developing a weekly spiritual discipline. Dwight illustrates the concept using the Hebrew word shabbat. I like to call it sabbathing.

Not the seventh-day sign of the covenant between God and his people instituted at Mt. Sinai (as crucial as that is). We honor the rich history of our faith forebearers and value their insights. While making careful and thoughtful distinctions in the scriptural text, Dwight emphasized a new covenant approach to scheduling time for intentionally ceasing in order to rest. And that rest comes with an anticipatory promise that we can know him more: Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you (James 4:8).

The Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you (John 14:26).

Jesus saves you and fills you with his Spirit. His salvation includes a call to follow him, be discipled by him, and live the gospel with him. Pause with me and think about that big idea. Jesus disciples each of us, himself. Yes, he uses others to provoke and encourage us as they walk ahead, behind, and alongside. But they, like you, are his servants. Their value in your life—JC Studies value!—must be viewed in the light of John the Baptizer’s wisdom: He must increase, but I must decrease.

I will put my laws into their minds,
and write them on their hearts,
and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people.
And they shall not teach, each one his neighbor
and each one his brother, saying, “Know the Lord,”
for they shall all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.
For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,
and I will remember their sins no more.
– Hebrews 8:10-12

What a promise! What a God!!

So far, so good. But let’s be gut-level honest with each other. When you sincerely set your heart on going hard after God, you meet with resistance both outside of and inside yourself. Fear, distraction, and temptation seek to divert your attention from what is truly important. True? It is with me as well. I have learned over time that it is right and good to own it—and to drag that reticence with you into his presence: “I believe; help my unbelief!“

Thankfully, we are not alone: As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust (Psalm 103:13-14). Do you see? Biblical repentance is not only turning from; it is turning to our Father.

One final game-changing idea that will make all the difference as you aspire to grow in the skill of seeking.

One standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken (Ecclesiastes 4:12). In our articles we typically cite Scripture from the English Standard Version. In this instance, however, the New Living Translation paraphrases the text in a way that stirs the heart.

Traveling in the same direction with others reinforces the steps you’re taking. That is one of the meanings behind our use of the Hebrew word haverim (friends). It is how I design our educational initiatives, like the upcoming Passover project and my course, How to Sabbath. They combine learning, mentoring, and participating with others in our members-only Mighty Network space.

Here’s something to remember. You will not appreciate the deep reality of any spiritual discipline until you act on it. We can learn things about God that are true, and that is important. But don’t confuse knowledge with knowing. The only way to know God is experientially because the truth is a person: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Here is my mentor’s heart on the matter:

“In our study, Learning to Delight in God, we have been exploring shabbat as a means of answering Jesus’ knock and intentionally opening the door. As Lord of the Sabbath, he wants to be welcomed anew into our hearts, houses, and communities of faith. The LORD God, creator of the heavens and earth, desires to dwell amidst his people. And with his presence comes shalom.” – Dwight A. Pryor