No Other Gods

A Verse

Exodus 20:1-3

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 shall have no other gods before me.”

A Comment

We will spend the next ten episodes of this podcast reflecting on each of the Ten Commandments. This morning, we begin with the first commandment, “You shall have no other gods before me.” The first commandment deals with loyalty to God as the One who has redeemed and delivered us. Because of what God has done for us in Christ, He is worthy of our complete devotion.

At first, this commandment might seem out of place. In our culture, we don’t tend to think about having “other gods” before the “LORD God,” but as J. I. Packer put it, “Your god is what you love, seek, worship, serve, and allow to control you.” If this is true, then it is easy to see how often we place “other gods” before the “LORD God.”

This morning, as you reflect and meditate on this verse, I invite you to ask the LORD to search you and reveal any “other gods” that you have placed before Him. As you do so, remember that God alone can save you. The other things that you are tempted to place your hope in will never be able to save you. Furthermore, as God reveals ways that you have placed “other gods” before Him, remember the forgiveness and mercy that is freely bestowed on you in Jesus Christ. Don’t allow the guilty of past idolatry to keep you from approaching God, confessing your sin, and asking for forgiveness. He loves to forgive and restore His children.

A Prayer

Would you pray with me?

A Blessing

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.