You shall have no other gods before me.

You shall have no other gods before me.

–

Exodus 20:3

God’s command is clear. He wants you to follow and worship Him only. St. Augustine wrote, “Idolatry is worshipping anything that ought to be used, or using anything that ought to be worshipped.” Pastor Adrian Rogers stated, “An idol is anything you love more, fear more, value more, or serve more than you do Almighty God.”

When was the last time you did a spot-check to see if you were idolizing someone? A twelve-year-old might idolize a pop star, papering his bedroom with posters and photos, perhaps following him or her on a social media site. Chances are they have never met; but the youngster emulates a hairstyle, a wardrobe, or the vocabulary of the one so revered.

You have outgrown such hero worship. The old hymn presents a challenge: “Nothing between my soul and the Savior; nothing between like pride or station; self-life or friends shall not intervene; though it may cost me much tribulation, I am resolved: There’s nothing between.” Do those lyrics reflect the level of your commitment to the Lord? He, after all, is fully committed to you.

As you come to the Lord in prayer today, let the words of this old hymn be like a mirror that accurately reflects your daily walk and relationship with Jesus.