Placing God First in All Things

Romans 1:22-23

Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

In his letter to the Romans, Paul explained how the pagans became idol worshippers.  Prior to exposing the idolatry of the pagans, Paul taught how God imprinted knowledge of Himself in every man.  He also taught that God confirmed His eternal power and divine nature in His workmanship.  Paul’s intention in his teaching was to show that men are without excuse when they worship anyone or anything other than Almighty God.

While it is easy for us to see the foolish nature of the pagans, do we see as easily our own foolishness in placing the things of the world ahead of Our Father in heaven?  Like the pagans, have we become vain in our own thinking and foolish in our choices?

God has imprinted the manifestation of who He is in the hearts of each of us.  He has created us to be capable of seeking, seeing and understanding His goodness, His power and His promises.  This equipping that God has given us should lead us to place Him first, above all other things in our lives.  Sadly, we know that all too often we choose foolishness over godliness.  We become no better than the pagans in that regard.  Alas, we come to the place that we recognize that we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Yet, we can rejoice for our merciful God, knowing of our weakness, provided a way for us to stand before Him without blemish.  His grace provided us with a Redeemer who washes us clean of our sin and His Holy Spirit that stands by us to strengthen us in our moments of weakness.

Let us become resolute in our efforts to place God first in all things.  Let us start each day asking for the Holy Spirit to stand with us and aid us in each decision that we make.  Let us end each day asking for forgiveness for the times that we placed the world before Our Creator.  Let us rejoice in knowing that on the last day when we stand before Almighty God that we will be received in the image of His Son without blemish.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for revealing Yourself to us.  We thank You for placing a void in our hearts that can only be satisfied by a personal relationship with You through Your Son, Jesus.  We exalt the name of Jesus whose shed blood washes us clean, making us worthy to stand before You.  We ask that Your Holy Spirit stand by us each day as we make our daily decisions.  We pray that our choices will always place You first.  We pray that our every action will bring glory to You, Your Son and to the Holy Spirit.  We ask all these things in the name of Name Above All Names, Jesus Christ.