When you think about the Ten Commandments, what do you think about?

Most people think, “A list of rules.” Things you should do. Things you shouldn’t do. They think of it as a moral checklist.

But that’s not where God starts. Before He gives a single command, He says who He is.

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”

In other words: I am the God who saves you.

That should change how you think about the Ten Commandments. God doesn’t begin with demands. He begins with deliverance. He doesn’t say, “Obey me so I will be your God.” He says, “I am your God. I have already acted for you. I’m shown you My love and My goodness. Now listen to my voice.”

That’s how the the Bible frames our understanding the commandments—not as a ladder to climb, but as a life that flows from a relationship already given.

And that raises a deeper question.

Who is God to you?

It’s easy to say, “God exists.” It’s even easy to say, “God matters.” But the First Commandment (which we’ll begin tomorrow) presses further:

• What or who do you trust?
• Who or what do you turn to when things fall apart?
• What do you rely on for security, meaning, and hope?

That’s your god.

For Israel, it was tempting to look back to Egypt, or ahead to other nations and their idols. For us, it might be money, success, control, reputation, or even our own ability to hold life together.

But none of those save. Only the Lord does.

And He has. Not just in Egypt—but in Jesus.

Before He calls you to live a certain way, He has already acted for you. He has come into your world that is corrupted by sin, suffered in your place, and brought you out of slavery to sin through His death and resurrection.

That means your life with God doesn’t begin with what you do. It begins with what He has done. When Jesus says to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, that love comes as a response for the love He has already shown you.

So today, don’t start with a checklist.

Start with this:
The Lord is your God. And He has already come for you, already freed you from slavery and saved you.

Let’s pray…

Lord God,

You are my God—not because I have earned it, but because You have chosen me and acted for me. Help me to trust You above all things. As I begin this journey through Your commandments, teach me to see not just what You require, but who You are for me—my Savior.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.