Devotion:
For an audio version of this devotion, click here.
Read Exodus 20:1-17.
The Ten Commandments are truly gifts of life from God for the people. Through these commandments God calls people to a more excellent way of life in relationship unto God, to one another, and to our neighbors. Keeping these commandments are vital for a healthy community to thrive under God’s care.
Yes, these are God’s commandments, laws and rules. But if we just see these as a checklist of rules, we fail to see God’s heart and intent for these to give life and healing to people. Richard and Julia Wilke in the Disciple Bible Study ask the question, “Can you imagine creating a covenant community out of multitudes of the newly freed Hebrew people camping out in the wilderness?” Slowly, with the gift of God’s law, the covenant community took form and identity.
For example, Verse 8 is what we call the fourth commandment about keeping the sabbath day holy. Can you imagine the gift God was giving to this group of people who had been in slavery for 400 years to hear that one day during the week they would not be working? Can you hear how God is calling them to a new schedule of life? Instead of working as if they are on a conveyor belt which never stops, they are called as a community together to stop working and worship God. This is the God who made them and understood that they needed rest. In the experience of worshiping God, they are resting in God’s care and joy! God replenishes them and gives them new life for the days ahead!
The Ten Commandments are foundational life-giving gifts from God which allows our faith and trust in God to grow as individuals and as a community of people gathered together.
Personal Worship Option:
Life-giving God, open the eyes of my heart to see the depths of your commandments so that I understand and follow them as Jesus did. Help me to keep your commandments through my actions, my thoughts and the motives of my heart. Amen.
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