Daily Reading
Daily Thought
“You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3), the first, the foundation of all other commandments. Keep this one and the rest fall in line. You are to have no other gods–the many nations had many gods, all kinds of gods surrounded Israel. This was a polytheistic world and people chose their own brand to worship. But if I decide I get to choose, then who do I believe is really in charge?
The one God, the true God, told Israel his name, Yahweh. Yahweh means “I AM.” I AM, and all other gods are not, and Yahweh demonstrated this repeatedly in the Exodus from Egypt. Yahweh reminds them, “I AM Yahweh, your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.” Who saved you? Me and Me alone. Who shall you worship? Me, and Me alone.
Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.” ~John 8:58
We live in a world that tells us no god is above another. That all are to be respected and none rejected. But we worship Jesus Christ and Christ alone. Why? Because rather than believing we choose god, God is the One who chooses us. Because we know that “there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). We worship Christ alone because Christ alone saved us. Who brought you out of Egypt? Who died for your sins? Through whom did you experience God’s forgiveness? Who gave you a new life? There is One and only One worthy of your worship.
Daily Prayer
Righteous God, You are holy and just, and we sin. Your grace gives us time to discover Your forgiveness before we encounter Your judgment. Thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, who fulfilled all righteousness and made our salvation possible.
Father, I pray that I may trust fully in You, following closely as You lead. May my life declare and display Your good news, proclaiming Jesus to this world in what I say and what I do. I pray that all would receive Your grace before the Day comes when You settle accounts, that wonderful day when You make all things right again.
Amen