MARCH 16, 2010

HOLY DAY

OR HOLIDAY

Scripture Reading- Exodus 20:8-11

On Mount Sinai, God gave Moses the Ten Commandments.

These Ten Commandments became the foundation of God's law that

showed His people the difference between right and wrong.

These commandments weren't optional; rather,

they stated exactly what God required of His people.

In the first four commandments, God told His people about their relationship with Him. The fourth commandment set aside a special day each week for the Lord. On this day of rest and refreshment, God wanted His people to meet with Him. God said the day was to be holy because He is holy.

In the 21st century, many fail to understand the significance of this day. Someone has said that our great-grandfathers called the Lord's Day the "Holy Sabbath," our grandfathers called it the "Sabbath," our fathers called it "Sunday," and our generation calls it the "weekend." We see evidence of this decline in the fact that Sunday is "Funday" for so many people. Tragically, many have left little of the Lord in the Lord's Day.

More tragic is the fact that our view of God's day is a direct indication of our view of Him. Those who are casual and careless about God's day are typically casual and careless about God Himself. They don't care much about His day because they care little about Him.

When the Lord's Day becomes a day for shopping, eating out, traveling, and playing sports, God quickly gets eliminated from our thoughts and efforts. Ask yourself what's more important--the worship service at 11 or the kickoff at 1? Do you care more about the Sunday sermon or about Sunday dinner? Which do you enjoy most--going to church or going to the mall?

A godly family must place great importance on the Lord's Day. Without this emphasis, a weakened relationship with God will cause family members to drift away from God.

APPLICATION: Take time to review the first four commandments, noting the significance of each.

-Tom Palmer-