I am the Lord your God

This morning, as I struggled to get out of bed, I realized the importance of routine.  Had it not been for the fact that, every Thursday, I get up and lift weights, I’d probably still be in bed.  But my routine carried me when my own desires in the moment couldn’t carry me.

And that made me think that we need a routine on these blog posts again.  I really liked our journey through the Lord’s Prayer.  So we’re going to start a journey through the 10 Commandments today.  The confirmation students are studying these commandments this year, so I thought we’d follow along.

Today, I am thinking about the importance of knowing how the Commandments begin.  Hard as it might be to believe, the Commandments actually begin with a promise.  Before God utters any, “Thou shalt not …” He speaks a word of promise.

I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD.

What a gift!  Here God promises that whatever we lack, whatever we need, whenever a crisis is afoot, He will provide for us, love us, bless us, and strengthen us.

But that seems to be good to be true.  There must be a catch.  There must soon be a giant, “IF” to follow.  I will be your God IF you follow these commands.  I will be your God IF you give you life to me.

And the problem with buying in to conditions is that we soon start to think only about the conditions – instead of the promise.  And either pride or despair follows.

Instead, we must take God at His Word!  When God says, “I am the Lord, your God,” believe him.  Rejoice that simply by the power of God’s promise, you belong to Him … and He to you.

From that safe place, we can begin to see the Commandments for what they are.  Not the way to earn God’s love.  Not the way to prove our love to Him.  But a gift.

We’ll start to unpack that gift a little more next week.  Until then, may the promises of God strengthen you for the journey!


P.S. – If you haven’t registered for a sanctuary service September 20, 27, or October 4, do so soon: https://www.wadenaimmanuel.org/sanctuary-worship-registration. 

And if you haven’t heard about our fall education plans, check out: https://www.wadenaimmanuel.org/education

AND, if you haven’t heard, we’re in the middle of a 40-days e-giving challenge where electronic gifts receive a 50% match: https://www.wadenaimmanuel.org/giving! 

Check out our news page to learn more and for other important announcements: https://www.wadenaimmanuel.org/announcements

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