We are told many places in the Bible not to worship other gods. (Exodus 20:3, for one) Especially in today’s world, that can be tricky because it’s much more subtle than bowing down to a block of wood or stone.

We do well to regularly examine what holds first place in our hearts and lives.

If it is money, or our own pride (which can be expressed in many different ways), leisure activities, entertainment, food, possessions, or even our families or nation – if it takes God’s place in our hearts, it’s wrong.

Maybe we have left our first love, and are looking to other people or things to bring fulfillment, even though we may go to church every Sunday.

Relationships are important, but a husband or wife should have second place after God. My children and grandchildren are precious to me. I love being with them, and hearing from them. I want God’s very best and pray for them regularly and often. But they cannot be the focus of my life. That is God’s place.

It could even be that, in addition to respecting and appreciating our country, we have set it in God’s place of exaltation. May it never be!

I love my country, and will be loyal to it. But if the unthinkable were to happen and the place where I live became my enemy, my God would still be intact. He never changes, and is sovereign even when everything around me is shaking.

Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth.
Psalms 73:25 NLT