February 4, 2013 - Rest and Remembrance

February 4, 2013

Exodus 19:16-21:21

Matthew 23:13-39

Psalm 28:1-9

Proverbs 7:1-5

The Ten Sayings (aka the Ten Commandments) were statements of identity and expectation because God had a plan for Israel.  As a part of God's family, the Lord desired that they represent Him as priests to the nations (Exodus 19:4).  The first three sayings have to do with God alone.  The last six have to do with how to treat others.  Right there in between is the commandment to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy.  There is something powerful about rest and remembrance.

Recently, I was reminded of how our hearts operate.  God created our hearts to be the most powerful muscle in our bodies, constantly working to keep us alive without us even thinking about it.  It works like the rubber end of an eyedropper.  When it squeezes it pushes blood through our entire body.  But right after that squeeze it has to come back to rest.  According to doctors, if the heart does not rest properly it will never be able to do its job well.  Oh yes, it can work really hard compressing and pushing out blood, but that's only half of the story.  It has to rest and regroup - just like we do.  A HUGE part of this resting is remembering.

Remember that you didn't deliver yourself - I delivered you (20:2).

Remember that I AM your only God - worship me only (20:3).

Remember that you're different - don't make an idol to represent me.  You represent me (20:4-6; 19:4).

Remember that My Name is holy - use it properly (20:7).

REST and REMEMBER ME (20:8-11).

Remember your parents and honor them (20:12).

You're not a murderer, an adulterer, a thief, a liar, or an envious person (20:13-17).  These all have to do with taking what's not yours. That's just not how we do it in My Family.

God wants us to stand out because the world is a mess.  But, this messy world doesn't need us – it needs Jesus.  In order to be like Jesus, God calls us to pause, rest, and remember Who He Is…so we remember who we are…so we can be who He created us to be – priests to the nations.

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"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace" (Numbers 6:24-26)

Kenny Sullivan

(201) 218-0751

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