Verse of the Day 5/3

Verse of the Day 5/3

Exodus 23:13 "Pay attention to all that I have said to you, and make no mention of the names of other gods, nor let it be heard on your lips.   English Standard Version (ESV)

In my reading through the Old Testament I've been in the book of Exodus.  Recently I read the 10 commandments as given in Exodus 20.  The following chapters expounded on the commandments and today's verse comes from a passage that is dealing with the sabbath and keeping it holy.  When I read it I thought that it would be a good verse to consider as we prepare to worship God on Sunday.

It is easy to notice and realize that there are a lot of things out there that are vying for our attention, actually calling out for it on a day to day basis including Sunday. Some of these things are almost worshiped.  This weekend there has been non-stop coverage of the NFL draft on some channels and people are tuning in to hear a message about how their team and rival teams fared.  Perhaps it is NASCAR that draws your Sunday devotion.  Others put large sums of money on the Kentucky Derby betting their hopes and dreams on horses.

Sunday, our sabbath, is a day that is set aside for us to concentrate on God, who He is and what He has done  and continues to do for us. We should do all we can to avoid letting other things to take away our focus, let alone love and devotion to our God.  Can we go a day without mentioning the names of some of these "other gods", not even letting them be heard coming from our lips.

Solomon has some words of wisdom for us in the book of Ecclesiastes:

Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.  Ecclesiastes 5:2English Standard Version (ESV)

--   In Christ,  Mike    Folllow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com  Ephesians 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,  in accordance with the riches of God's grace.  NIV    

Exodus 23:12-14The Message (MSG)

¹² "Work for six days and rest the seventh so your ox and donkey may rest and your servant and migrant workers may have time to get their needed rest.

¹³ "Listen carefully to everything I tell you. Don't pay attention to other gods—don't so much as mention their names.

¹⁴ "Three times a year you are to hold a festival for me.