British statesman W. E. Gladstone (1809-98) visited Christ Church College and spoke optimistically about the betterment of English society during his lifetime. His outlook was so positive that a student challenged him: “Sir, are there no adverse signs?” Gladstone reflected, “Yes, there is one thing that frightens me—the fear that God seems to be dying out of the minds of men.”

Obeying the first commandment would prevent this from happening. Yet man attempts to make gods out of money, material possessions, pleasure, knowledge, people, and in so doing forgets the true God. But no created thing can ever fill the place in our heart God intends for Himself.

A child was asked, “How many gods are there?” “Only one,” he replied. “How do you know?” “Because,” he said, “God fills heaven and earth, so there’s room for only one.”

Our worship of God becomes focused when we receive Jesus as our personal Savior, for He is God in the flesh (Jn. 1:14). But why does God command us to love and worship Him alone? Because in Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28), and from Him we receive eternal life (Col. 1:13-18). He has every right to say, “No other gods!” because He alone is the living and true God, who created us and redeemed us.

  — Dennis J. De Haan