Exodus 19:3-6
In this passage, we see the dramatic story of how God gave the Ten Commandments to His people. They were given for the protection of His people. They were the boundaries in which they could find refuge and provision. When God gave these commandments, He said that He wanted His people to be a ?holy nation.? These were a favored people, and those who are favored must live by a higher standard.
Think of a young boy or girl who shows promise in athletics or academics. The parents and teachers of the child seek out the best training and mentoring they can find in order to bring out the promise and abilities shown by the youngster. The child is encouraged to work hard to utilize, and maximize, his/her God-given talents. Mediocre effort and accomplishments are not acceptable. They are being held to a higher standard in order to reach their full potential as human beings. The standards may be high and difficult to reach, but it is in their best interest to be stretched to their God-given potential.
God gives us rules and standards to 1.) protect us; 2.) make us better and, 3.) have us be a witness to others about the goodness and wisdom of God… to show that these standards are important to keep us healthy spiritually, mentally, and physically. It is God?s desire for us to have health and freedom so that we can freely seek Him out and be in relationship with Him. The Ten Commandments also served to let people know when they had fallen short, and that just trying to keep the rules is not sufficient to relate to a Holy God. We need to see our inadequacy so that we can allow Christ to be our only claim to success. Paul summed this up in Galatians 3:24, ?So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.?
Prayer
Lord, thank you for providing for me. You gave me laws and commandments to serve as my protection; just as a loving father would do. Thank you for caring for me and giving me boundaries to protect me.
Additional Scripture
Galatians 3:23-25, Exodus 19:1 ? 20:20
