April 5, 2016

“‘You shall have no other gods before me.
8 “‘You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is on the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 9 You shall not bow down to them or serve them; for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 10 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.” Deuteronomy 5:7-10

“What does this mean?
We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.” (Martin Luther’s explanation to the First Commandment – Small Catechism)

“Therefore it is the intent of this commandment to require true faith and trust of the heart which settles upon the only true God, and clings to Him alone. That is as much as to say: “See to it that you let Me alone be your God, and never seek another,” i.e.: Whatever you lack of good things, expect it of Me, and look to Me for it, and whenever you suffer misfortune and distress, creep and cling to Me. I, yes, I, will give you enough and help you out of every need; only let not your heart cleave to or rest in any other.” (Martin Luther’s explanation to the First Commandment — Large Catechism)

Luther says, “Whatever you lack of good things, expect it of Me (G-d).” The First Commandment is probably the most important commandment, hence it comes first. It comes first, it is the most important, and it is probably the most difficult to follow. To trust alone in G-d, to not trust in our own “understanding” or “effort” but to rely solely on G-d is something our secular society does not teach or support.

We are always being reminded that we need other G-d’s in our lives: we should try to make more money so we can have the things we deserve; we should have more things so that our lives will be complete; we should have more esteem from our friends so that we find pride in ourselves; we should have……it goes on and on. When we set other things up as G-d’s, when we bow ourselves to money, pride, or possessions, we are also breaking the first commandment.

Our G-d is a jealous G-d, saying so in verse 9… for I the Lord your God am a jealous God”. As such, G-d wants all of our attention and our loyalties. This is where the challenge to be in the world but not of the world is the greatest – but if we make G-d our sole “god”, then we will be the better for it both spiritually and emotionally.

Pastor Dave