Week eight of Cultivate Delight, where we are actively planning our spiritual endeavors this coming week with the goal of a consistent time spent engaging our hearts with Christ in his word, in prayer, in reflection, and in music. Below are some starting points for reflection, and I hope you find them helpful. The goal is to not just rush through these and then get on with your day. Take your time and reflect throughout the week on these items.
This week we are focusing on the law of God by reflecting on his Ten Commandments.
Bible Reading
Liturgy – New City Catechism
Question 8: What is the law of God stated in the Ten Commandments?
You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below—you shall not bow down to them or worship them. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Honor your father and your mother. You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal. You shall not give false testimony. You shall not covet.
Exodus 20:3
You shall have no other gods before me.
Prayer
The law of the Lord is perfect in every way. Holy and righteous is the Lord and his commandments are just. Lord, forgive me when I fail to remember the goodness of your holy law and I succumb to the insidious lie that your law is something I should resist. My heart is weak and frail. My heart is deceitful. My heart still has deep rooted sin lingering in the dark corners. That sin lies to me and convinces me that the law of God is a burden. Yet, Jesus tells me to take upon myself his yoke and his burden for they are light and easy. The law of God is there for my freedom. Freedom from the enslavement to sin. Truly, Christ has died to abolish my slavery to sin and has founded me in the grace and mercy of his love. The Spirit of the Lord now dwells within me. This Spirit empowers me. This Spirit strengthens me. This Spirit gives me the desires of my heart. Desire to seek after the Lord with all my heart and soul. Desire to love the Lord my God with all my heart, mind, soul, and strength. I am united with Christ in his death. I am united with Christ in his resurrection. And in this union, the Spirit of the Holy One dwells within me. Praise the Lord.
Worship
How Firm a Foundation
How firm a foundation you saints of the lord
is laid for your faith in his excellent word.
What more can he say than to you he has said
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled.
Fear not I am with you, O be not dismayed
for I am your God and will still give you aid.
I’ll strengthen and help thee and cause thee to stand
upheld by my gracious omnipotent hand.
The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose
I will not I will not desert to its foes.
That soul though all hell should endeavor to shake
I’ll never no never no never forsake.
In every condition in sickness in health
in poverty’s vale or abounding in wealth.
At home or abroad on the land or the sea
as thy days may demand oh thy strength ever be.
Oh thy strength ever be.