Before Me = Beside Me

Read

Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me.”

Think

If someone asked you, “Is God first in your life?” how would you answer?

Most of us would probably say “yes” —or at least, “I’m trying.” We might point to our Sunday routine, our morning quiet time, or our Spotify worship playlist as evidence. We treat God like the top item on our spiritual to-do list. First box: checked.

But here’s the twist—this commandment isn’t talking about order. It’s talking about presence. The Hebrew phrase “before me” literally means “in my presence” or “in front of my face.” God isn’t saying, “Put me first in line,” like he’s okay sharing the space as long as he’s up top. He’s saying, “Don’t let any other gods stand beside me, anywhere near me.” This isn’t about rank. It’s about exclusivity.

It’s like a marriage vow. Imagine standing at the altar, promising to love your spouse “first among others.” That wouldn’t go over well. Marriage isn’t about being first on a list—it’s about being the only one on the list. That’s the kind of relationship God wants with his people.

But here’s where things get sneaky. Most of us haven’t stopped believing in God—we’ve just added other things beside him. We want God and financial security. God and approval. God and a dream relationship. God and control. And slowly, without even realizing it, we start building a kind of spiritual shelf: “God gets the top spot,” we tell ourselves. But then we start decorating the other levels.

The danger isn’t always replacing God—it’s reducing him. It’s blending the holy with the hollow. We don’t abandon God. We just think he needs some help. A little Baal to boost our resume. A little Asherah for comfort. A little golden calf to make the waiting easier.

This was Israel’s story. Over and over, they kept trying to add to God. They didn’t flat-out reject him. They just brought in backup options. And every time they did, it led to bondage, regret, and destruction.

The golden calf in Exodus 32 is a perfect example. While Moses was on the mountain receiving God’s commands, the people grew impatient. So they made something they could see and control. They didn’t stop believing in God. In fact, they credited the calf with what God had done. They said, “This is the god who brought us out of Egypt.” Think about that—they literally assigned God’s deliverance to something they made with their own hands.

And that’s still happening today. We start out trusting God. But when his pace feels too slow, or his plan feels too unclear, we start mixing in other sources of comfort or control. We assign value, hope, or rescue to what we’ve crafted instead of to the One who created us. And like Israel, we don’t even realize we’ve drifted.

Imagine someone saying, “I trust in God”—and then obsessively checking their bank account for peace. Or constantly refreshing social media to feel seen. Or pouring all their energy into relationships, thinking that’s what will finally make them whole. None of those things are bad in themselves. But they make terrible gods.

And once again, God is not being egotistical here. He’s being honest. “Don’t bring other gods into my presence,” he says. Why? Because no other god can actually do what your heart is asking for.

This is like trying to charge your phone with a shoelace. It doesn’t matter how tightly you tie it or how much faith you have—it’s not going to work. That’s how it is with our idols. They might look like power sources, but they don’t deliver. Not when it really matters.

And here’s what’s wild: these idols—these “other gods”—aren’t always sinful things. Sometimes, they’re good things that have been given the wrong position. A career. A child. A cause. A dream. But even the best things become burdens when you try to make them your savior.

Think of it like this: your heart has a throne, not a couch. It’s not made to seat multiple priorities side by side. When God says, “no other gods before me,” he’s saying, “There’s not even room for a second-place winner.”

This commandment isn’t about behavior management—it’s about allegiance. God wants to be more than acknowledged. He wants to be enthroned. And that means nothing else can stand beside him. No rivals. No backups. No just-in-cases.

So maybe the real question today isn’t, “Is God first?” Maybe it’s, “Who else is standing beside him?” What are you letting into your heart’s throne room? Who or what has been quietly competing for your trust, your affection, your energy?

Because the First Commandment isn’t just a call to believe in God—it’s a call to believe he’s enough.

Apply

Take an honest inventory of the spiritual shelf in your life. Is God truly alone at the center—or have some other things crept in beside him? Maybe it's control over your plans. Maybe it's the validation of others. Maybe it’s comfort, status, or performance. Today, don’t just confess that God is important—decide that he’s everything. Speak it out loud if you need to. Clear the stage, not just of your schedule, but of your soul. Let God take his rightful place—not beside anyone or anything, but above it all.

Pray

Father, I want to want you above everything else. I confess that I’ve tried to blend my faith with other hopes, other saviors, other gods. Forgive me for the way I’ve made room for rivals. You’re not just first—you’re the only One worthy. Help me tear down anything I’ve placed beside you. Teach me to live with you on the throne, no one else in your seat. In Jesus’ name. Amen.