Course: Solid Ground - Faith & Family
March 17, 2022 | Dave Rueter
Passage: Acts 17:28
First Commandment
You shall have no other gods.
What does this mean? We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.
God is not only our creator, but He is also our sustainer. We are reminded in Acts 17:28 that “In Him we live and move and have our being; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are His offspring.’” This is a rather comprehensive list. When we reflect upon what it means to fear, love, and trust God above all things, we need to keep in mind how truly expansive this instruction is.
This means that we can and should trust first and foremost in God for our wellbeing. We are reminded of this truth each week at the conclusion of our worship service when we hear these words from Numbers 6:24-26 spoken by the pastor:
24 The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
God did not create us and then wish us luck, rather God’s desire was and remains to be in relationship with us individually. Thus, we are to prioritize our faith and trust in God above all else. As our Creator, God knows His creation better than we could ever hope to. Further, His love for us and all of creation means that He remains intimately concerned with our ongoing health and needs. There is no better source for us to turn to for guidance and protection.
In this relationship, where God looks out for our needs, we return thanks in the form of worship. Our devotion to God takes the primary place in our lives as a way of showing gratitude for all that He has done for us.
Thoughts for Reflection
What is one way that you can ask God to help you keep Him first in your life this week?
Course Information
The catechism has been a foundational tool in teaching the Christian faith across generations. Yet, too often the catechism is treated as a tool to be used during confirmation class and then placed on the shelf thereafter. This series explores three of the six chief parts from Luther's Small Catechism, focusing on the 10 Commandments, Apostles' Creed, and Lord's Prayer. Each part is an essential foundation for our faith and something that Luther emphasized ought to be revisited in the Christian home with regularity.
