God's Promise

10 Deciding Factors

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Trying to impress someone? Think you need to have the approval of your peers? Believe you can’t get by without a pat on the head? If you’re seeking the approval of other people you’ll be marginally successful, but to what end? How many times in your life have you been on the “right” side of an issue only to find your team had moved to the opposite position leaving you all alone? When we live by the Ten Commandments we find decision-making pretty clearly defined:

• I am the Lord your God; you will have no other gods before me. Seems pretty simple. If you’re worrying about the approval of others perhaps your focus is in the wrong place.

• Make no graven image to worship. Even I don’t want to go there, but I will. What idols do you worship? A new car? Designer clothing? Power? More money in the bank than you or your family can use in a lifetime? Me time? Another person? The list can be uncomfortably long. What is the decision here? Not putting your hope in the things and people of this world.

• Do not take the Lord’s name in vain. Let me ask this. If you have a choice between profane disrespect for the Lord’s name and honoring Him through word and deed, which is most likely to bring about the result you want? Negativity breeds negativity. Disrespect breeds disrespect.

• Remember the time-honored day of rest, for most that is Sunday. God needed a day off and I would imagine you and I do too. It is a time to give praise and thanks to the One to whom you belong.

• Honor your parents. An old fashioned concept? Perhaps, but it is the first step in creating and perpetuating a civil society.

• Don’t kill. Really not one that has to be discussed at length. Killing another human being is a no-no.

• Adultery. This one gets overlooked with a nod and sly grin. Given the number of crashed marriages and busted relationships attributed to ignoring marriage or relationship vows you’d think we would all be paying a little more attention. Adultery, like murder, is a no-no.

• Don’t steal. It is a burden you carry with you the rest of your life. The more you steal, the bigger the burden.

• Don’t lie about other people. Sometimes this is innocent (?) in that you are repeating something said about someone else. So maybe “don’t lie” about another person also means, don’t gossip about them either.

• Don’t covet that which belongs to someone else. When you want what someone else has, you’ve gotten off the track of your own life and where it can lead you.

The thing about the Ten Commandments is that even in this so-called modern world they still apply. You know what is even more astounding? When we break them – and we do – there is a promise that reminds us of God’s mercy, love and forgiveness: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

God is with us, even when we mess up.

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