3 “You shall have no other gods before me.
This first commandment spoken by the Lord to the Israelites is the foundation. Every other command pivots on this command. To use a sports analogy, it sets the rules for the game. In military terms, it is the primary rule of engagement. When we properly understand this one, the others make sense. This first one speaks of the uniqueness and elevated status of the Lord. There is only one God. There might be gods, but they can never be placed in His position. The Lord must be in the position in our life labeled “Most Important” “Critical” “Must Do.” Life is about Him. He is not an accessory added when it is convenient or when we are desperate. He is to be the center at all times. When someone or something gets between us and the Lord, this command has been broken. This doesn’t mean we neglect our spouses and family, but that they find their proper place in our lives. Our job can’t be the most important thing in our lives. Boy is this hard! It is so easy for other people or things to creep into that top spot. Our eyes get moved so easily off center. It is a slow creep, moment by moment. And then we wake up and realize that we have drifted. Then we refocus our hearts and lives on the Lord and continue to follow. Because of the Fall we drift easily. We have learned the art of excuses. The Lord wants us to put Him at the top of our priority list and keep Him there. This is what is best for us. When He is in His rightful place, all the other people and things in our life will find their proper place. But when we put something else in the Lord’s place, nothing in life fits. Everything else can’t find its spot. They will always be competing for that top spot, the spot where the Lord rightfully belongs. Put the Lord first. Jesus put us first. He suffered a cruel death so we could live. Does He have first place in your life?
The Arnold Journey 