Exodus 20:1 And God spoke all these words….
I have always been taught to put God first in my life, that I should love God before all others. As a child, I struggled with the thought that I should love God more than my parents. They brought me into this world. They fed, clothed, and guided me. How could I love God more? It was a difficult concept to wrap my head around. As an adult, I understand more fully that every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights (James 1:17).
Exodus 20:2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.”
I have prayed fervently for those whom I love who were sick, prayed that God would heal them here, prayed that as much as I love them, I know that He loves them more and wants what’s best for them, prayed that He would give me the strength to carry on if He called them Home to Him for healing. That’s why God has to come first. That’s why He has to be the Alpha and the Omega in my life, the Beginning and the End (Rev 21:6). It doesn’t mean that life, death, and loss will be any easier or will make any more sense, it just means we know we can trust the One who holds us securely in the palm of His hand.
Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.” (NIV)
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder that You are my beginning and my end, that You are my center, You hold me together. Thank You that having You at my core means that I can trust You explicitly, even when I am confused, even when I am afraid, even when life makes no sense. Thank You for the precious people You have placed in my life, people You love even more than I do. Draw us all closer to You. Amen.
Exodus 20:3 “Do not worship any god except Me.” (CEV)
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.