You shall have no other gods before me. – Exodus 20:3
Have you looked at the night skies recently and scanned its stars? Can you still find the North Star? It is bright, shining at the tip of the handle of the Little Dipper, even on a dimly lit night. It is stationary and has been in exactly that same place since God established it there – a reliable fixed point. For thousands of years, seafarers used it to determine their bearings. Pastor and author Peter John Miller said, “God is that North Star, figuratively. He is our fixed point by which we can judge all issues. How can we have absolute moral standards? God exists, and God has spoken.” And He stated, “I am the Lord, and there is no other” (Isaiah 45:5).
In June of this year, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed a bill that would require the Ten Commandments to be posted in every school. Almost immediately, nine families filed a lawsuit to keep the law from going into effect, scheduled for November 24. According to NBC News, the families, who are Jewish, Christian, Unitarian Universalist, and nonreligious, said the law “substantially interferes with and burdens” parents’ “First Amendment right to raise their kids in whatever religion they want.” The bottom line is that they are not opposed to teaching, “Thou shall not steal” or “Thou shall not commit murder.” Their problem is what the Commandments say about God. They want to establish a North Star of their own choosing.
Theologian Dr. Tony Merida wrote, “Everyone is a worshiper of someone or something. Idolatry is putting someone or something else in the place of God. … We must see our idols for what they are: they are stupid! After seeing this, we must crush them in repentance and turn to the living God instead. Idols will not satisfy. Only God will satisfy the human heart.” Assess the absoluteness of God’s place in your life. With Him as your fixed and reliable North Star, your course is set in the right direction. Pray for the nation’s leaders to set their bearings on the only absolute—Almighty God!
Today’s Verse: Exodus 20:3
“You shall have no other gods before me.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Isaiah 44:1-8
“But now hear, O Jacob my servant,
Israel whom I have chosen!
2 Thus says the Lord who made you,
who formed you from the womb and will help you:
Fear not, O Jacob my servant,
Jeshurun whom I have chosen.
3 For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour my Spirit upon your offspring,
and my blessing on your descendants.
4 They shall spring up among the grass
like willows by flowing streams.
5 This one will say, ‘I am the Lord’s,’
another will call on the name of Jacob,
and another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’
and name himself by the name of Israel.”
6 Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel
and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts:
“I am the first and I am the last;
besides me there is no god.
7 Who is like me? Let him proclaim it.
Let him declare and set it before me,
since I appointed an ancient people.
Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen.
8 Fear not, nor be afraid;
have I not told you from of old and declared it?
And you are my witnesses!
Is there a God besides me?
There is no Rock; I know not any.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
