3 The Lord did not make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, those who are here today, all of us who are alive. 4 He said: 6 ‘I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
7 ‘You shall have no other gods before Me . . . 9 you shall not bow down to them nor serve them. . . 11 ‘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. 12 ‘Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the Lord your God commanded you. . . 16 ‘Honor your father and your mother . . . 17 ‘You shall not murder. 18 ‘You shall not commit adultery. 19 ‘You shall not steal. 20 ‘You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour. 21 ‘You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his male servant, his female servant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.’ Deuteronomy 5:3-7 and selected NKJV
God the Law Giver,
Deuteronomy begins with the foundational laws. The ten commandments. They cover all of life and community living for good. There had to be many more laws written in Deuteronomy for the way that the priests would deal with those who broke these laws whether by intent or accident. God knew there would be endless sin because it is the nature of man. To be self reliant, desire, suffer jealousy, be unable to control behaviour in some circumstances – be subject to life’s accidents.
But they give a straight line to measure wrong against and that was needed. To show we need God’s forgiveness. And many, many animals were slaughtered with much blood shed.
So God could show us the ultimate offering of His only Son. Like a passover Lamb. The atonement offering that cancelled all. So we could meet and live with the one who teaches us to live Your Law God. Your laws still stand. They are as relevant today and still cover all aspects of life and community.
But now we have the living law. Beautiful, personal, coming with much love to lead us through life. Leading us forward in forgiveness not beating us up for our past. If we would choose His way and not our own. And You stick with us through all of life, keeping us whole and Yours.
In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Worship Tuesday 24th February 2026
As we have passed the first Sunday in Lent a reminder to give thanks and worship . Good days, great days and other days . . .
For the joys and for the sorrows
The best and worst of times
For this moment, for tomorrow
For all that lies behind
Fears that crowd around me
For the failure of my plans
For the dreams of all I hope to be
The truth of what I am
For this I have Jesus
For this I have Jesus
For this I have Jesus, I have Jesus
For the tears that flow in secret
In the broken times
For the moments of elation
Or the troubled mind
For all the disappointments
Or the sting of old regrets
All my prayers and longings
That seem unanswered yet
Chorus
For the weakness of my body
The burdens of each day
For the nights of doubt and worry
When sleep has fled away
Needing reassurance
And the will to start again
A steely-eyed endurance
The strength to fight and win
Chorus
For this only Jesus . . .
Lyrics: Graham Kendrick (1994)