“I am the LORD your God who brought you out of Egypt, out of
the land of slavery”
(Deuteronomy 5:6, NIV).
Is the LORD truly our God? Do we follow Him as such? How do
we see His commandments to us? How do we as people in general, see the “Ten
Commandments?” Do we see them as life to
us or do we see them as stifling rules, to hinder the way we want to life our life?
Why do we make it confusing? Where do we
get the idea that rules somehow drain us of life? It seems we formulate the idea almost innately
in our adolescent years. It is
definitely the accepted idea in those years but shouldn’t we leave it behind as
we stumble and grow beyond our juvenile mentally? We all struggle with the idea
of boundaries giving us life, yet all around us, rules and boundaries protect
us and give us life.
If we take a few minutes and process the “Commandments” as
life giving, they make much more sense.
If we have “No other gods” before us, we have the Lord God, the Creator
of all things loving us. We will have the steadfast
love of Heavenly Father with us always and He will never leave or forsakes us. Does that not give us life? If do not worship idols fashioned by someone’s
ideas or from our own inadequate understanding, how are we hindered? Instead of following and worshiping
something false and ending up with nothing … we are following and worshiping
the Living God who gives life and abundance. How is that not life giving? If we do not misuse the name of our God, we will hold up our God as God and He will be the One we love with all of our heart and soul.
Is not rest as
requested in keeping the “Sabbath,” life giving and sustaining? Do we not need rest
every single day to even breathe? Why
would we not need a day each week to give life to our soul? Without honor, it is hard to have a
relationship with anyone much less our parents, who gave us so much throughout
our lives. No adultery means we will
have nourishment and blessing in the relationship we have with the dearest
person in our lives. No lying means we
will gain and have trust in our interactions and connections with those around us. If we do not covet, we will be content with
what we have and satisfied in the knowledge that security is not found in
things acquired. Is that not life giving? If we
do not steal and those around us do not steal means we will living in safety. Finally,
there can be no argument in rule of no murdering which by its very meaning, gives
life. In short, all of God’s words to us are full of life as they give us life, including “The Ten
Commandments.”
The final words of Moses after living out all of his days as
a prophet, leader and the faithful shepherd of the nation of Israel; remind us that God through His words will give us life. Moses concludes his thoughts by declaring that that God’s words are life to us. “Take
to heart all of the words, I have solemnly declared to you this day … They are
not just idle words to you –they are your life …” (Deuteronomy 32:46-47,
NIV). Realize and cherish the words of
God, as life ... and they will be life to you ... all the days of your life.
Suggested "Words of Life" to read for today ... Deuteronomy 5
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