“And God spoke all these words: ‘I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You should have no other gods before me.'”
-Exodus 20:1-3

Almost every Christian tradition has the first commandment as “you shall have no other gods before me.” However, the Jewish version reads differently. You don’t get to change a Jewish text, all right? And I think it’s important. I think that Christians have missed out by not endorsing this as the first commandment. And this is the first commandment: “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt out of the land of slavery.” Now you can see why a lot of Christians changed it, right? Why did they change it? That’s a statement. How is that a command? I believe it is a command that basically says this: believe in the God who believes in you. I am a God that is on your side. I am a God that believes in you. I am a God that is for you. You are my people. I am your God. You will not be in slavery but you will go to the Promised Land. I am on your side! Know me! Sometimes that’s hard to believe, isn’t it? You may be hearing this and thinking God isn’t on my side, and hasn’t been. But He is. And that doesn’t mean life isn’t hard, it doesn’t mean you won’t go through challenges. It doesn’t mean you won’t be stretched. It doesn’t mean you won’t get sick. It doesn’t mean you won’t face battles, but it does mean this: God will carry you through. He will carry you out of slavery and he will bring it to your Promised Land. Have faith and don’t give up on him.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord for always being there. Even when I may not see you or feel you, you are carrying me through. Please help me to remember that even when going through difficult seasons.

REFLECTION: Try memorizing the first commandment. It could be both the Christian and Jewish Translation. Use this as a reminder to remember that God believes in you.