MONDAY September 6, 2021
Labor Day
Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God. In it you shall do no work:
Exodus 20:9-10
God in His infinite wisdom set a pattern of rest and worship for mankind. In most years, we have 52 Sundays to rest. Resting in the Lord is important. We live in extremely difficult and perplexing days, yet Psalm 37:7 reminds us to, rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him....
Labor Day is a federal holiday that gives hardworking men and women a day of rest. It pays tribute to the American workers’ achievements. It is usually observed on the first Monday in September. Labor Day is celebrated by most American families with barbeques and parades. Traditionally, it is also considered to be the day that ends summer. An old custom said that people would not wear white clothing after Labor Day, as wearing white was thought to be an indication of still being on vacation.
Although we have a restful day off, the history of Labor Day had a forceful beginning. Strikes and rallies brought attention to harsh working conditions in America’s many factories, railroads, mills and mines. Employees, including children, were often required to work long hours for six days a week. They worked in poor conditions and were often treated unfairly. People were determined to fight for shorter workdays and better conditions. Many of these strikes and rallies turned violent.
On September 5, 1882, union leaders in New York City organized what is thought to be the first Labor Day Parade. Ten thousand workers took unpaid leave and marched from City Hall to Union Square in New York City, while others listened to speeches, attended picnics, watched fireworks, and enjoyed dancing.
If by excessive labor we die before reaching the average age of man, worn out in the Master’s service, then glory be to God. We shall have so much less of earth and so much more of heaven. It is our duty and our privilege to exhaust our lives for Jesus.
~Charles Spurgeon~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
