DAY 155 - BIG PICTURE IN A YEAR - THE LAW

AND GOD SPOKE ALL THESE WORDS: “I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD, WHO BROUGHT YOU OUT OF EGYPT, OUT OF THE LAND OF SLAVERY. YOU SHALL HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME...

Exodus 20:1-3

Reading: Exodus 19: 3-6, 9-11

We've been looking at the importance of rest to God's people. This, of course, is the fourth commandment of the Ten Commandments - a summary of the Law given by God. But it is the first commandment that sets the tone for all the others.

What is the first commandment? It is our reading for today - I can summarise it as follows: Remember God and His actions in your life and always put worship of God first.

The contemporary mind, influenced by a Western culture, struggles with this concept. It seems implicit, right? But not in the Israelite mind. They had come from a society that worshipped a variety of gods – gods for every kind of need with different reasons for existence. These gods were beings that needed to be appeased, or manipulated, to get what you needed.

Yahweh needed to set the record straight and make sure they fully understood this basic fact: He is the one and only true God.

You may shake your head at the Israelites...how could they believe any differently? But are you certain that you have no other modern-day equivalents in your life? Knowledge, chasing an education or a promotion? Money, working so hard for that pay slip at the end of the month? Other men, yearning for their recognition or approval? Let go of those things. If you have the Spirit you have all you’ll ever need.

Prayer

Lord, show me where I am serving other gods in my life. I want to serve you whole-heartedly – the one and only true God.

For the family

Explain

Explain the first commandment to your children - and how important it is to God that we love Him and put Him first. We must also not put our trust in anything or anyone else, as He is the source of everything we are and have.

Engage

Print out this “Love Letter to God” and have your children fill and colour it in.