Walking God’s way
And God spoke all these words, saying: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. ~ Exodus 20:1-2
Have you ever noticed how easy it is to want freedom but not always know what to do with it once you have it? The Israelites found themselves in this same place. After being set free from years of slavery in Egypt, they were no longer bound by chains, yet they needed guidance to live as God’s people. In Exodus 20, God gave them the Ten Commandments, not to restrict them, but to protect them and show them how to live in a way that led to peace and His blessing. The commandments were never meant to control people, they were designed to help people live in agreement with God’s creation. These commandments came directly from heaven and were intended to bring a heavenly atmosphere to this world.
I used to think freedom meant doing whatever I wanted. I believed that if I could make my own choices without anyone telling me what to do, I would be happy. But I quickly discovered that doing things my own way often led to regret, confusion and most of the time . . . bad choices. When I finally started to understand that God’s instructions were not meant to take away my freedom but to get me on the path that He designed my life to be on, everything changed. His Word began to guide my choices, and I could see His Spirit at work in my heart and in my life. I experienced a peace and satisfaction that I never had before and I was now on the road where He had planned for me to make the greatest impact in this life.
Maybe you are in a place of trying to find your place in this world? Is this a time when you are making decisions about your future, your relationships, or your priorities. It can be tempting to go your own way or even the popular way of the world, but Exodus 20 reminds us that God’s commands are not just rules, they are invitations to live in a close and connected relationship with Him. You can walk with Him every day and you don’t have to worry about the outcome when you are following His direction. That is when you will recognize what leads to life and what leads away to destruction.
Here is how you can get started today:
- Remember Who God Is. Begin each day by acknowledging that God is your deliverer. Thank Him for bringing you out of past struggles and into new beginnings.
- Keep His Word in Front of You. Write down the Ten Commandments and place them somewhere you will see them daily as a reminder of His wisdom and love.
- Choose Obedience Daily. When making decisions, pause and ask, “Will this choice draw me closer to God or pull me away?” Let His Word lead your heart.
- Invite God’s Presence Into Your Routine. Set aside time to talk with Him about your choices and challenges. Ask Him to give you strength to walk in His ways.
- Encourage Someone Else. Share how following God’s direction has helped you and encourage someone who might be struggling to trust Him fully.
Today I want to encourage you to see God’s commands as His love expressed toward you. He does not want to take anything from you; He wants to give you life, peace, and purpose. The same God who brought the Israelites out of Egypt is the same God who wants to lead you into freedom that lasts. When you choose His way, you choose blessing, peace, and a closer walk with Him.
Today’s scripture reading: Exodus 20
1 And God spoke all these words, saying:
2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.
4 “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth;
5 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,
6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.
7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.
8 “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work,
10 but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.
11 For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it.
12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
13 “You shall not murder.
14 “You shall not commit adultery.
15 “You shall not steal.
16 “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
17 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”
18 Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off.
19 Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”
20 And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.”
21 So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.
The Law of the Altar
22 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel: ‘You have seen that I have talked with you from heaven.
23 You shall not make anything to be with Me—gods of silver or gods of gold you shall not make for yourselves.
24 An altar of earth you shall make for Me, and you shall sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your peace offerings, your sheep and your oxen. In every place where I record My name I will come to you, and I will bless you.
25 And if you make Me an altar of stone, you shall not build it of hewn stone; for if you use your tool on it, you have profaned it.
26 Nor shall you go up by steps to My altar, that your nakedness may not be exposed on it.’
Journal:
- What area of your life do you need to surrender to God’s direction today?
- Write about how trusting His Word in that area could bring peace and lasting freedom.
The Daily Dose 