“You shall have no
other gods before Me ... For I the Lord your God, am a jealous God”: The word “before” as used here means in
precedence of, the condition of being considered
more important, superior, preeminent, a priority in order or rank. This passage
is addressing a condition of the heart. You shall “have”... possess, own, or hold, no other gods... small
g, in greater love, esteem or importance than Me. Our greatest love,
admiration, and respect must be for our Lord, and only our Lord. So... what
kind of things can become “other gods” to a saint? Things like spouses, parents,
children, grandkids, friends, hobbies, possessions, social position, physical appearance,
education, accomplishments, pets, career, etc., and... of course, our Self –
the pretender to the throne of our heart. Truth is... we have an endless supply
of “gods” to choose from. Anything we esteem, respect, admire, value, regard,
Anything we esteem, respect, admire, value, regard, acclaim, appreciate, like,
love, prize, recognize, honor, treasure,
favor, or revere in any sense as more or greater than God is an “other god” to
us.
There
are three attitudes of the heart which must be preeminently fixed on God, our
Love... our Fear... and our Reverence. God must have the prominence in our
Love: We must love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. The “all”
here is emphatic, expressing the thought forcibly and clearly, intended to
point out the quality of our love. All does not mean some... it means ALL. God
must have the prominence in our Fear: “Do not fear those who
kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to
destroy both soul and body in hell.” Misplaced fear can turn the speed-bumps of
life into idols we fear more than God. Fear of God is essential to faith –
residing in true faith -- eliciting total trust in God. Remember, over
thirty times scripture commands, “Fear not, For I AM with you.” When we fear
God and only God... we “fear not”, recognizing His loving presence overwhelms
and puts to flight all other fears. And, God must have the prominence in our Reverence: We must stand in awe and wonder of
God, expressing deep abiding respect... and wholehearted adoration. Reverence
is the essence of worship, prompting a lifestyle of 24/7 worship. If we possess
and express these attitudes of the heart God will be preeminent, for there will
be no room for “other gods.”
FOR I AM A JEALOUS GOD
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