Brighter Day Baptist Church Devotional
January 14, 2026

Scripture Reading:
Exodus 20:1; 8–17 (KJV)

Devotional Thought:
Exodus 20 opens with a powerful reminder: “And God spake all these words…” (v.1). The commandments that follow are not random rules—they are the voice of a loving God guiding His redeemed people. Verses 8–17 focus on how we honor God and how we treat one another: remembering the Sabbath, honoring parents, valuing life, faithfulness, integrity, truth, and guarding our hearts from covetousness. God had already delivered Israel from bondage before giving these commands. Obedience was meant to flow from gratitude, not fear.

True Story:
In the early 1900s, Eric Liddell, a Scottish Olympic runner and devoted Christian, faced a defining moment. He was favored to win gold in the 100 meters at the 1924 Paris Olympics. However, when he learned the qualifying heat would be run on a Sunday, he refused to compete, believing the Sabbath was a day set apart to honor God (Exodus 20:8). He was mocked by the press and pressured by officials, yet he stood firm. Instead, he ran the 400 meters—a race he had not trained for—and won gold, setting a world record. Liddell later became a missionary in China, where he eventually died in a Japanese internment camp. His life testified that honoring God’s commands is never wasted, even when it costs us in the moment.

Life Application – Remember This:

• God’s commands are spoken from love, not control.

• Honoring God shapes how we honor people.

• Integrity matters even when no one is watching.

• Faithfulness to God may cost us temporarily, but it blesses us eternally.

• Guarding your heart from envy brings peace and contentment.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for speaking Your truth to us. Help us to honor You not only with our words, but with our lives. Teach us to respect Your day, cherish our families, walk in integrity, speak truth, and guard our hearts from sinful desires. Give us the courage to obey You even when it is difficult. May our lives reflect Your holiness and love. In Jesus’ name, Amen.