Is God Your First Priority? Or, is God Your Last Resort?

Posted by on Sep 15, 2014 in Signboard | 0 comments

Jesus and the Disciples were on a boat in the middle of the Sea of Galilee.  As happens frequently in that area, a strong storm suddenly arose and began to knock the small fishing boat around like a twig in the rapids of the Colorado River.  The waves splashed over the sides of the boat and the disciples were sure that they were goners.

But Jesus was asleep.

As a last minute resort, when all other hope had faded, they cried out to Jesus.  Jesus calmed the waters and the disciples probably wondered why they didn’t turn to Jesus in the first place (and that’s what Jesus seemed to think too).

The story is told in Luke 8:22-25.  Click the following button to read this passage…

Luke 8

Luke 8:22-25

22 One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and set out.

23 As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were in great danger.

24 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!” He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25 “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples. NIV

 

 

A similar description of God is given in the hymn, Eternal Father Strong to Save.  Check out the following video…

 

 

 

 

First Priority

And yet, Jesus is always in the “boat” with us; we can’t get away from Him (check out Pastor Jim’s 9/7/14 sermon, “ET Meets Michelangelo“).

If He never leaves us, why do we leave Him?  Why is it that we don’t think of God until we’re really in trouble?  God is asking us to think of Him always; not only when’ we’re in trouble.  God should be our first priority; not our last resort.  Take a look at the following verses:

Deut 6:5-9 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. NIV
Matt 6:31-34 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.   But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. NIV
Ex 20:23 23 Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold. NIV
Heb 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.  Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. NIV

 

First Priority or Last Resort?

If God is your First Priority instead of simply being your Last Resort, your eyes should be fixed on Jesus.  You can do this by studying the Bible.  Carve out some time; read it every day.  If you’re going to “throw off everything that hinders,” surround yourself with other Christians who can hold you accountable and help you get rid of your “idols” and things that you value more than God.  If you’re going to “seek the Kingdom,” you’ll give of your own time and resources to serve others.  Pray.  Look for ways that you can make a difference in the lives of the needy.

But if you only think of God on a few Sunday mornings, is He really your First Priority?  If you only pray when the waves roll into your “boat,” you’re limiting God as your last Resort.  True and lasting joy and peace come when we seek the Kingdom of God and make God our First Priority.

 

 

 

 

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