Desiring God

Today’s scripture:

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1 NKJV)

The Ten Commandments may seem like a very legalistic and harsh set of rules, but did you know that they are full of love and kindness and mercy? In Matt 22:37-40 Jesus says to love the Lord your God and to love your neighbor like you love yourself. He says that these are the two and greatest commandments. Not only that but He says that the whole bible is set around these two commandments. Does that mean that these commandments are more important than the ten in the old testament?

Well, lets look at that. The first four of the ten commandments are all about loving God. Which makes perfect sense that these would come first because before we can love our neighbor perfectly we need to know what it means to love God. Then the other six commandments are all about loving others (your neighbor). See how the two greatest commandments are the foundation of all ten and throughout the bible? So, now over the next few days I will go through each of the ten commandments showing you how there is mercy all through out them.

The psalmist David was one man who really pursued God. He desired to know Him on a very deep level. He went after the heart of Christ. This first verse of Psalm 23 means that David shall not want anything but God Himself and that the Lord is all he needs. If we are to desire God then that also means we should love the things that He loves and hate the things that He hates.

For me I have to keep in mind that to love God is to keep His commandments. I used to think that Psalm 119 was all about works and legalism because it speaks about holding true to God’s commandments. But, the more I studied mercy and Psalm 119, and the ten commandments, I realized it is about God’s heart and His mercy for us and us giving mercy to others. I need to remember that His commandments are about love. Love for God and love for others.

Lets look at the first of the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.” – If you have been born again then you are married to God. You have this special covenant with Him. A relationship with this much intimacy and closeness, there is no room for other gods. If we are married in an earthly sense then God’s word says to have only one spouse. To be committed to only that person until death departs you.

How much more does the Lord deserve our commitment to Him? How much more is He a husband to us? He will never cheat on us. He will never lead us down a wrong path. He will never abuse us or cut us down. He will always love us no matter how we treat Him. That love is unconditional Agape love! So, giving all that He has done for us already and continuing to love us unconditionally, why would we want other gods?

To have other gods could mean several things. Whatever takes up more of your time and takes your focus off of Jesus is considered to be a god. It could be your job, an addiction; it could even be your spouse. I find that a good gauge is figure out if you are spending less time or even no time in prayer, in the Word, and just in His presence?

I very much enjoy spending time with my wife because my heart is for her. I remember after my son was born, all I wanted to do is spend time with him because my heart was for him. Or, even material things, like a new car that you first purchase. All you want to do is find excuses to drive that car all day long. All these people and things can quickly, if we are not careful, can become an idol (a god) to us. “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matt 6:21)

Now, of course there is nothing wrong at all to enjoy your family or even buying a new car. That’s not what I’m saying. But, are those things taking up all of your time? Are they squeezing God out? Do you say things like…”It is too hard to find time to read my bible” or “I am just too busy to pray or read lately”?

Reflection:

The mercy in this first commandment is for our protection because we need it in this world. We need to not be deceived by false gods and for them to consume our time with promises that will not be fulfilled. Do you have anything in your life that is squeezing God out? Are you spending time with Him in His word and in prayer at least a half an hour to an hour every day?

I Challenge you:

Take an inventory of your life today and make sure nothing is getting in the way of pursuing God and filling a need in someone’s life. Even if it’s just praying for another today, deny your flesh and serve God by serving your neighbor.