WORDS OF LIFE

 ‘Ten Words’ is how it’s known to the Jews, but it is far more than ten words in our reckoning, for this refers to the Ten Commandments.

We were not excited when we heard this was to be our study for the next few weeks. Surely we are in the New Testament now, all these laws behind us?

I remember reading about a man who became a Christian while in prison. Eventually released, for the first time in his life he went into a church. There, in large letters, were written the Ten Commandments. He heart sank. He had thought he had been set free, but now, how could he keep all those ‘No-no's’? He bowed his head, bringing  his despair to his Saviour and his Friend, the Lord Jesus. When he looked again, they seemed to read in a different way. Not as ‘thou shalt not, but ‘You won’t.’

Jesus said, ‘If you love me you will keep my commandments.’

If we come to Jesus as Lord and Saviour we too will find we are released from condemnation, and released into new life in Christ. He it is who gives us victory over our old sins. So, are we now able to keep these ten commandments?

Although many have done their best to keep them, without being perfect it is impossible. That is why the Jews have a Day of Atonement, and endless sacrifices to atone for their sins, and Paul, in the New Testament, writes that the law was a schoolmaster to bring us to Christ. That is why God sent his Son to be our Saviour. The name Jesus means Saviour. ‘Call his name Jesus for he will save his people from their sins.’

Yes, as Christians we have a saviour, Jesus Christ. Our sins are forgiven because the judgement we deserved was put on him. He died in our place.

So now, as we read again the Ten Commandments, do we get a tick beside each one? No, rather we find that God is searching our hearts.  I know that in many ways I have to cry out, ‘guilty.’ Yes, guilty, but forgiven, and now able to do better.

God has not called us back to Mount Sinai  to condemn us, for there is no
condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. Rather, he wants us to know how great is His love for us, making these laws that we might enjoy our relationship with this our wonderful Creator, Redeemer God.

I am adding my interpretation of the glorious freedom that has been brought to us as, week by week we have found God’s wonderful love expressed to us through these ‘Ten Words’.

 

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1.‘You shall have no other gods before me.’ Exodus 20: 1-3

‘NO OTHER GOD

God has made us in his image

Have we need of aught beside?

Need we any lesser god to satisfy our pride?

 

Should we worship health or wealth?

For this soon will pass away.

God will give us life abundant if we walk his way.

 

For his love is living water

In a dry and thirsty land

Bread each day he gives from heaven, if in trust we’ll stand

 

No need for us to worship beauty,

For God will give us of his own

If we’ll come to seek his face, - worship him alone.

 

Let’s us banish gods of stardom

Or of popularity,  

Fame, we know, is oft times fleeting -  things that others see.

 

You alone are King for ever,

Your love eternal, strong and true

And your word is living water. Yes, we will worship you.

2.‘You shall not make for yourself a carved image.’

 

NO GRAVEN IMAGE

What skills describe the glory of One who made man from the dust of the earth?

By the word of his power called forth moon, stars and sun, each sphere of infinite worth.

Then why should we seek by our skills to describe a God greater than all we desire,

With metal you hid in the bowels of the earth to form a god who comes out of the fire?

 

Know that your Maker may not be defined by  skills that to you he has given

For only through Christ can his glory be known and we enter the Kingdom of heaven

 

Then may we not think of our God as too small or shrink him to what we desire

But with trembling and awe draw near through the Son to find him who’s revealed in the fire.

3. Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.’ Ex.20: 7

NOT IN VAIN

No, not in vain will I speak that name

Name given, not with holy fire

But through lowly birth coming here to earth

And in poverty and shame’

For God sent his Son the Holy One

That he might through love inspire

Us to rise from our shame and through faith in his name

-Come to God,  all  our hearts may desire.

 

4. ‘Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.’ Ex.20.8

ONE DAY IN SEVEN.

God took six days to make this world

With sun and moon and stars

The biosphere and atmosphere

Rivers, mountains, moors

Till, making man, he was well pleased

And that we may all enjoy

He did ordain a day of rest

For all in his employ.

 

5. ‘Honour your father and mother.’

LOVE AND HONOUR

 How precious are you, so deeply loved

That God should send his Son

To pay the price that you, forgiven,

Know you by such love were won

 

Yes, dearly, dearly loved are we

As is our neighbour too

So may we show God values them

In all we say and do

 

Yes, and parents too, though sometimes against the grain

Just as Jesus showed the way.

And the elderly still need respect

Even when they’re old and grey

 

Think how Our Lord, taking bowl and towel

Gladly knelt to show the way

Then may we, joyful, bow our knees

To share with others day by day.

 

6. ‘You shall not murder.’

HONOUR LIFE

Each of us shaped in the image of God, known and loved and treasured.

Then why should we  fear another’s rise when we each for ourselves are measured?

It is fear that gives rise to jealousy -Yet we each one are loved and are needed

Why allow Satan to lure us on? For from jealousy murder is speeded.

 

‘Where is your brother?’ Cain was asked, his blood crying out from the ground

Each drop of blood is so precious indeed and an answer must surely be found.

 

Lord, guard our hearts against jealousy. For your purpose we each one are made.

Redeemed by the precious blood of your Son, may we love and not be afraid.

 

7. ‘You shall not commit adultery’

HONOUR MARRIAGE                 

Searching for love and acceptance

Found naked,  abused by men

Facing contempt, indignation

She is dragged out for all to condemn.

 

But they take her to One, who of all men

Is come to seek and to save

It is they, her accusers who are standing condemned

Those who plot to judge now facing shame

 

Lord, you’ve given us laws to protect us

From wand’ring in thought, look or deed

To find our fulfilment in Jesus our joy

And help others enchained by man’s greed

 

For the Saviour did not condemn her

While he sent her accusers away

Gave her strength to drink from a well that is pure

And joy in him every new day

 

8 & 9. ‘You shall not steal.’ –     and ‘Do not bear false witness.’

HONOUR PROPERTY, and HONOUR REPUTATION

          DO NOT STEAL

‘You can get it for free,’ but know, someone must pay

For there’s always a price for what’s given away.

 

We like to buy cheap but is slave labour in sight?

Oh no, we don’t steal, but does that make this right?

 

For we all once were slaves, bound in sin’s darkest night

And ‘twas Christ paid the price that we might live in the light

 

So - no need to steal freebies - piling things we don’t need.

Let’s give away gladly and find riches indeed.

 

And then there’s your neighbour! Would you steal his good name?

We’re all made in God’s image and are worthy the same.

 

To whisper suggestions is stealing indeed.

So let’s love and honour our neighbour and give help in his need.

 

10. ‘You shall not covet.’

HONOUR IN THE HEART

          DO NOT COVET

Only in Christ is contentment,

          Only in him is true gain

Why should I covet the treasures of earth

When  heaven’s wealth alone will remain?

Why spend your labour for blessings

          That wear out at last and decay?

In your Saviour alone is an upspringing joy

          That remains, though all else pass away.

Then may we delight in his favour

          And trust him, though trials will come

For if Christ himself is our treasure

          We have love, joy and peace in the Son

 

 

 

THE CHILDREN GOD HAS GIVEN US

 

I felt I had to share this picture of myself, being loaded with blessings from one of our local schools where I have been teaching ‘Bible’ for so many years, because so many of you have shared in my schools ministry; first of all in praying that the schools might be open to us.( We had  thought this prayer was answered so that a young man just returned from Bible College might go in, but no. By the time a positive answer was given he had moved on.) It had not dawned on me that God might expect me to be the answer our prayers.

Meanwhile God had called me to write. It was my books that became the key to open the door for me to be welcomed in our local primary schools. This led on to taking assemblies. I became a regular feature, but how I needed the support of our praying women sisters who supported me to the hilt.

It wasn’t easy to face a hall full of children, but when sometimes my courage would fail, God would remind me, as he had when I was leaving for the ends of the earth, ‘I am going. You can come with me, or you can leave me.’ When the children were all responding, drinking in the word, I knew without doubt that it was Jesus who was reaching out to them through me.

Then came Bible Explorer. I had read about it and felt it was something I could do, but it was not until my beloved Joel had died that I was free to undertake the training. Now, more than ever I needed my sisters to be praying for me. 

And pray they did, and have given support in many ways over the years. I never forget one sister who was on her knees praying for me for the whole hour of my very first BX lesson.

Another prayed that God would let me see some fruit from this teaching. Would I ever know? But one of the teachers had asked her children to write about what it had meant to them, and I was able to read of several beautiful responses.

On rare occasions I would return home discouraged, feeling I have not done as well as I should or that the children were not responsive, but then I would remind the Lord that he had promised me joy and peace, and without his joy I could not continue. Invariably the next lesson, or assembly would be what I described as a ‘star-dust’ one. I would tell the children, ‘I think the angels must have sprinkled some star dust, for you are so good today.’

I have one precious memory.  A small boy had asked to help me to the car with my loads. It was a very hot afternoon and he in particular had not seemed responsive but now he told me, ‘I love it when you come.’ He repeated it, ‘I love it when you come.’  I knew that small, difficult, lovable little boy had felt the touch of Jesus. That is what it is all about.

But now I won’t be continuing in the schools. Retirement shouldn’t be part of a Christian’s vocabulary, should it? Having reached the great age of ninety, my mobility and energy has been decreasing and I feel through the Covid Lockdown that God himself has come and gently closed this door for me,  so that now I am able to give myself to full time writing, and of course to praying.

I hope you will feel included in this lovely ‘thank you’ that I have received and will continue to pray with me and for the children of this generation; ‘The children that God has given me/us.’