God First. Others Second. :: Deeper Devotion

By Glenn Ansley

Exodus 20:3
You shall have no other gods before me.

Why do you take the Lord’s commandments so lightly? Do you not think that God will punish your disrespectful actions? Do you not comprehend the weight of a commandment etched in stone by the creator of the universe? God has spoken to you. His command is simple. “I am to be the first thing you think about when you wake up in the morning. I am to be the first person you turn to in fear and joy. I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the house of slavery. You are disobeying my first and most important commandment when you allow other people and things to be prioritized before me.”

The Old and New Testaments both demonstrate the importance of this first commandment. Faithful men and women rise early in the morning to commune with their Maker. The foolish and the lost strive after that which will fade away. Jesus echoes this command and attaches a promise to it in Matthew 6:32, 33. “For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you. God’s utmost desire is that you would find your fulfillment in Him alone.

God is calling you to repentance. What areas of your life need to be reprioritized in order to place God first? This is not a commandment to be taken lightly. He wants you worshiping Him at the foot of His throne immediately. Do not pass go. Do not collect $200. Simply make the Lord your highest priority.

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