I'm the Lord your God

Why the Lord demands exclusive worship?

God reveals who He is and why we should worship Him exclusively in the first commandment. This Yawah God doesn't treat humans as toys to play with or slaves to boss over. Rather he treats us equal by elevating us to his reasoning level. He wants reasoned worship instead of blind obedience.

By saying, "I am the Lord who brought you out of slavery in Egypt," God reminds the Jews of the power and deliverance they experienced firsthand. They saw the Pharaoh's army drown in the parted Red Sea and can feel the deliverance on the other side. Their deliverance was true. Therefore, they shouldn't worship anyone else.

God's commandments come after He has acted on our behalf. We worship Him not out of fear or blind obedience, but because of what He's done for us. When viewed through a Christian lens, we worship Jesus not just as an abstract God, but as the one who delivered us from sin's enslavement.

If Jesus were to speak these words, He might say: "I am the Lord who suffered for you, shed blood for you, carried your sins, cleansed you from them, and took upon myself the judgment that should have come upon you. So you shall have no other gods before me."

Before commanding our devotion, God first demonstrates His love and commitment to us by taking action in our lives.

Just as the Jews could see, feel, and experience their escape from Egypt, we too should feel and experience the Lord in our own way. Discover what the Lord means to you. God has revealed himself in many ways throughout the Bible for us to explore him.

Let's explore five ways the Lord has revealed himself to others, so we can better understand who this Lord is before we offer our worship. We need to know the Lord we worship because if our belief in God directs our lives, we must understand who He is. We need to grasp His nature, what He does, and what He has done for us.

Who is this Lord?

To start, let's go back to Genesis 1:1: "In the beginning, the Lord created the heavens and the earth." The Lord we worship, Yahweh, made everything we see. When you gaze at mountains, hills, forests, and rivers, you can see the Lord as the Creator. Paul echoes this in Romans, saying that we have no excuse because the heavens and earth declare God's glory.

The second verse says the earth was formless and empty, and everything was created from that void. Our lives can often feel just as empty. We might feel that our pursuits are meaningless. During those times, we should remember this verse: if the Lord can create beauty from emptiness, He can surely bring something beautiful from our lives too.

This understanding of who the Lord is helps us believe that what He claims in the Bible can happen in our lives as well. All God's promises are "Amen" in Christ Jesus. We should be able to claim that if He created all this, He can create goodness in our lives too.

People find different ways to worship this particular Lord. Knowing Him deeply allows us to connect with Him and trust that His works and promises apply to us today.

When we look at Genesis 5:1, it says God created mankind. We need to see that we are wonderfully and beautifully made by God, as David says. God crafted us with all the complexities of human life and the human body. When you fall sick, you realize how intricate our bodies are—a miracle that they function as they do.

You should know you are created by God, wonderfully made in whatever form you are—short, tall, fat, lean, fair, or dark-skinned. Genesis tells us this: the same God who created heaven and earth made us too. And He made us in His image—all of us. There is no discrimination in the biblical account of creation. We are all created by the God who made heaven and earth. No matter our status—whether Indian or European, educated or uneducated, high-earning professionals or daily laborers—we are all made in God's likeness.

The God who created heaven and earth, the God who made mankind, delights in revealing Himself. He isn't a God who hides or one we need to chase through years of isolated meditation in a mountain. He loves to show Himself.

In the Bible, we read many stories of how He revealed Himself to different people. Right after creating Adam and Eve, He walked with them in the garden. He also appeared to others, like Abram before his name was changed. God came to Abram and introduced Himself as God Almighty, saying, "I am the Lord Almighty." Abraham had just moved from Ur to a new place and likely had many doubts, but God reassured him.

When God reveals Himself, it's not like a master revealing himself to a slave. Rather than lowering us, He elevates us. It's like a father talking to his son or a wise teacher counseling students.

Moses asked the Lord to reveal Himself through a name. The Lord responded, "I am." He didn't say, "I was" for yesterday or "I will be" for tomorrow. Even though He is the God of tomorrow, He says, "I am." He's always present, always in the now. We need to stay with our Father in the present.

When worries arise, we should remind ourselves, "I am is with me." Trust in this Lord for today. Often, our worries are about tomorrow. That's why Jesus said not to worry about tomorrow; today's troubles are enough. When we trust that God is sufficient for today, we'll trust He'll be sufficient for tomorrow too. Jesus emphasizes focusing on today, the moment at hand. The Psalmist says God's word is a lamp to our feet, not sunlight showing everything but a lamp guiding the next step. As we take those steps, more will be revealed.

Sometimes, we worry about the past and feel guilt for mistakes made. We should seek forgiveness from the Lord and rectify what we can. If we've fallen short of standards, we should strive to do right from that moment onward.

Brennan Manning in his book Ruthless Trust, recounts the encounter the Jesuit Philosopher John Kavanaugh had with Mother Teresa.

When John Kavanaugh, the noted and famous ethicist, went to Calcutta, he was seeking Mother Teresa … and more. He went for three months to work at “the house of the dying” to find out how best he could spend the rest of his life.

When he met Mother Teresa, he asked her to pray for him. “What do you want me to pray for?” she replied. He then uttered the request he had carried thousands of miles: “Clarity. Pray that I have clarity.”

“No,” Mother Teresa answered, “I will not do that.” When he asked her why, she said, “Clarity is the last thing you are clinging to and must let go of.” When Kavanaugh said that she always seemed to have clarity, the very kind of clarity he was looking for, Mother Teresa laughed and said: “I have never had clarity; what I have always had is trust. So I will pray that you trust God.”

We need to hold the hand of our Father who is always with us and live in the present moment. That is trust. We don't need clarity about the future. We need to trust the Lord who created the heavens and earth and created you and me in His image.

Whether it's the past or future that troubles us, the Lord helps us stay present and take the next steps forward.

In the first book of the Bible, God stands as the creator of the universe and mankind. In Revelation, the last book, God reveals himself as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He is both the author and finisher of our race. He starts a good work in us and sees it through to completion. He's there at the start and finish of every venture we undertake in this world.

I often find myself wrestling with doubts. Will I falter? Will I deny the Lord when challenges arise? In those moments, I cling to the verse that says he who began a good work in me will see it through to completion. This reassures me that I don't need to worry because he's not just the Alpha and Omega of the universe but also of my life and every task he assigns.

As a father, I sometimes worry about my sons' futures. How will they navigate the world as they grow up? During these times, I remind myself that God is their Alpha and Omega too. He gave them life and will carry them through all challenges, just as he has done for me.

The concept of Alpha and Omega is a powerful metaphor. When struggles hit and it feels like there's no tomorrow, we can declare that he is with us from beginning to end. This assurance helps us face any doubt or discouragement. The Alpha and Omega walks with us always, guiding us through every trial.

In the Bible, the Lord reveals himself in many ways. He is the first and the last, the Almighty, the Father. People experience Him in different stages of life, leading to various names for Him. The Psalms are full of these metaphors. He’s a fortress, a shepherd, a stronghold.

Throughout the Bible, people give different names to God based on their experiences. We read about Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Nissi, Jehovah Shammah. These names come from moments when they saw different sides of God.

Take Abraham’s story. He’s asked to sacrifice his son Isaac but is stopped at the last moment by an angel. Instead, he finds a ram to sacrifice and calls God Jehovah Jireh—The Lord Will Provide. This story shows that even when we set out to give up something dear, God provides another way.

Elijah also experienced God's provision. During a drought he prophesied, he was fed by a widow in Zarephath and later by crows. The Jews in the wilderness received manna from heaven. These stories show that God's provision isn't limited to one moment or person.

We need to experience God in all His dimensions. He’s not just the Almighty thundering from clouds. As we walk through life with Him, we discover His many characteristics. Reading these stories and names helps us understand and trust Him more deeply.

Just as Abraham named God Jehovah Jireh after his experience, others like Moses and Elijah also saw this side of God. We too must trust and follow Him through life's paths to solidify our understanding of His nature.

David calls the Lord a shepherd. David, once a shepherd himself, tending to his flock, guarding them from danger, leading them to water. He saw God in that same light—shepherding him, protecting him, guiding him to his destiny.

We should see God in our own work too. God's not just for Sundays. When we talk about ministry, we usually think about Pauls and Peters. Josephs and Daniels don't make the list - the ones who climbed corporate ladders for Christ. Bible doesn't extol one over the other. The kingdom of God needs both kinds of people.

David did a great job combining these two roles. Basically, he was a shepherd. Watching over his sheep, he saw God as his shepherd and composed Psalms. He sang again when God lifted him to the throne.

Whether you're a programmer, in sales, or marketing, find God in your profession. This deepens our relationship with Him and helps us understand His many facets. When we see God personally involved in our lives, we realize why we worship Him for who He is and what He does for us.

When David says, "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing," he’s not just seeing God in his work. He’s confessing his faith and belief in God's guidance and sufficiency. David likely said this not only as a shepherd but also as a commander, while fleeing from Saul, and even as a king. We too need to recognize God as our shepherd and declare His promises to inherit them. Belief in God's loving nature, His creation of heaven and earth, and His desire to bless us is essential. Without this belief, reciting verses or confessions won't lead to inheritance because there's no solid foundation.

To truly claim that we lack nothing, we must develop a personal relationship with our shepherd. Let me share a testimony. I serve in a church for daily laborers. The pastor and his family have served them for over 15 years without a permanent place, constantly moving due to landlords’ demands or rent hikes. When I started ministering there, the pastor shared his dream of having their own church land. We prayed for years, growing confident that God would meet this need.

In 2023, church members began sharing visions and guidance they received from God for their own land. We formed a board and started praying earnestly. By January 2024, we were confident of a miracle but had no money. The pastor scouted places, but prices were too high. We kept praying despite discouragements, believing in God's guidance.

I reached out to friends for help, and miraculously, many contributed small amounts like ₹5,000 or ₹10,000. Slowly, funds trickled in, boosting our confidence though we still needed much more. The pastor and I continued raising funds within India, believing Indian ministries should rely on Indian knees and Indian purses.

By February, we bought the land but were short by ₹3 lakhs on the day marked for registration. The pastor decided to meet the landowner anyway. I shared our situation with a prayer group, and unexpectedly, a friend offered the remaining money. With full funds in hand, the pastor registered the land that day.

The Lord showed Himself as our shepherd; those who believe in Him will lack nothing. Amen.

Out of the house of bondage

If the Lord had said, "I am the Lord Almighty, worship me," we'd have every reason to worship Him. If He declared, "I created you, so you better worship me," we'd feel compelled to obey. That's the path Eastern, Greek, and Roman theology often took. But in Biblical theology, the Lord gives us a reason. He says, "I've done something for you. You've seen it and are enjoying its benefits. So worship me."

God's mighty power achieved something out of love for us. We didn't do anything for Him first; He acted first and then commanded our worship. Look at John 3:16: "God gave His only Son so that anyone who believes in Him should not perish." God sent His Son to save us from sin's bondage. Because of this act of love and power, He asks for our worship—not in an abstract form but rooted in what He has already done.

He gave His only Son to bear the world's sins. If you believe this is true, then naturally, you should worship this Lord. Paul echoes this in Romans. Paul's question isn't rhetorical; it's a declaration that if God gave His Son, He wouldn't withhold anything else we need.

Peter agrees, saying God's power provides everything we need for life. Our needs will be met because He is all-powerful and a loving Father. This is why we worship Him.

Paul also questions why Jesus bearing our sins matters. Sin leads to death—the thief comes only to steal and kill—but believing in Jesus brings eternal life. This eternal life isn't just after death; it means living a beautiful, amazing life here on Earth, inheriting all the promises set in the Bible.

So open your eyes, see what God has done for you, experience it, and give your full attention and worship to the Lord who loves you so deeply.

When the Bible speaks of blessings and freedom from sin, it’s not just about spiritual rewards. The greatest gift is being freed from sin by accepting and worshiping Jesus. This life change brings more benefits than we might expect. By living according to biblical standards, we gain additional blessings. Without the weight of guilt or disappointment, our minds are clear to pursue dreams and goals that help others. We find success in our endeavors.

Worshiping Jesus isn't just about spiritual blessings or the afterlife; it brings tangible benefits here and now. This is evident throughout the Bible. In Deuteronomy 28, there's a detailed list of earthly blessings promised to those who worship and obey God. These blessings are meant for us to enjoy in this world.

The New Testament echoes this message. Jesus, Paul, and Peter speak of both spiritual and earthly blessings. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches us to ask for our daily bread, symbolizing all the earthly needs He promises to fulfill. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus assures us that God will provide for us better than anything else.

So, following Jesus brings not only spiritual rewards but also real, tangible benefits in our everyday lives.

Transformation with the Lord begins when we see our relationship with Him as more than just spiritual or earthly. It’s for others too, for humanity, to build connections. This is when true change happens in us. Isaiah spoke of this, and Jesus embodied it when He read from the scroll in the temple. The same anointing that was on Jesus is now on us. The Spirit of the Lord anoints us not just for our benefit but to share the good news.

We are called to tell those bound by chains that they can be free. Mental constraints and poverty, both material and spiritual, can be broken and healed. This transformation comes from the Holy Spirit’s anointing.

Look at the early apostles; they preached this gospel in a hostile Roman Empire. The Caesars wanted to crush Christianity, but it thrived because early Christians understood Christ's love. They cared for the sick during plagues when others fled. Some died, but many were cured and saw a different kind of love—a love that didn’t abandon them.

This compassion led Christianity to survive and spread worldwide. Christians founded schools, hospitals, and orphanages driven by this mission. In India, missionaries educated oppressed people; the first teacher in India was taught by a missionary.

Divya Kandukuri writes about the India's first school started by an Indian teacher:

It is important to understand the milieu in which the young Savitri grew up. Public education was yet to emerge and there were only a few missionary schools which were “open to all".
Savitribai Phule was taught by Jyotiba at their home. Later, she took a teacher’s training course at an institute run by an American missionary in Ahmednagar

Today, it’s sad that many have become selfish, building their own empires instead of sharing love and enriching society. True Christian love is about giving to others and transforming the world around us.

You shall have no other gods before me

When Yahweh God says, "You shall have no other gods before me," it sparks a question: why demand exclusive worship? Why not be like other gods who share the stage?

If Yahweh is who He claims to be, then His demand for exclusivity makes sense. He created us, provides for us, cares for us—He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and end. If all this is true, His command for our exclusive adoration is only natural.

Think of it like parents who work hard to provide for their kids. They want their children to grow up independent but also expect love and respect in return. Similarly, God expects our exclusive worship because of what He has done for us.

Imagine fleeing enemies and finding refuge in a fortress. To stay safe, you must follow certain rules to protect yourself and others inside. When David says, "God is my fortress," it means God expects us to follow His rules to stay safe.

Consider how medical professionals handle a plague. They aim to heal the sick but also prevent the disease from spreading. Likewise, God's commands are meant to protect us and ensure our well-being.

If Yahweh truly created the heavens and earth, if He is the Alpha and Omega, then exclusive worship is a natural response. He commands because He defends, provides, and has already given so much. That’s why He demands our worship.

Worshiping a God isn't just about visiting a place of worship or offering sacrifices and donations. It's about embracing the ideas and values of that religion. David's declaration, "I will not go after other gods," means more than just avoiding sacrifices to other deities. It means rejecting their ideals and ways of living.

In the biblical view, everyone is created in the image of God, making us all equal. No matter your profession, geography, or family background, you stand equal before God. Other belief systems might impose a hierarchy among humans, suggesting some are more worthy than others. This can trap people in poverty or predetermined roles, unlike the biblical idea that we have agency and can change our circumstances.

Believing we're made in God's image means we can think, reason, and make choices. It contrasts sharply with the notion that everything is predetermined and we're merely puppets controlled by a master. This difference impacts every aspect of life. God promises prosperity and blessings for obedience, while following other ideals brings trouble.

The Ten Commandments include a command to rest, showing God's sufficiency and power. If we're mere toys at the mercy of gods who don't meet our needs, we can't truly rest. We're always serving them. So, it matters which God we choose to worship because that choice shapes our life's ideals, family values, and mindset.

That's why David says, "I will not go after other gods." He knows his shepherd.

When Satan tempts Jesus, offering him all the wealth if he bows down and worships him, Jesus firmly replies, "Away from me, Satan. Worship only the Lord." Temptation is ever-present, even though God promises prosperity if we obey His commands. Psalm 1 tells us that meditating on God's law leads to success in all we do. Yet, there's always a lure to bypass laws and twist ethics for more money than we need or can achieve ethically. As the Bible says, sin is always crouching at the door.

The only way to overcome this temptation is by worshiping the Lord and proclaiming who He is—our maker and master. Even Christian ministers aren't exempt from this temptation. Jesus Himself faced it, tempted to manipulate ethics for gain. This underscores the importance of knowing what we worship because we become what we worship. Jesus insists we can't serve two masters; we must choose one.

Clarity in our values is crucial. It's not about inclusivity or being liberal in thought; it's about unwavering focus on the values we follow. This clarity propels us forward. When classmates and neighbors progress beyond us, we're tempted to compromise our values to keep up or surpass them. But confidence in our Lord as our maker and shepherd assures us that He meets all our needs.

We often focus on visible things like houses, cars, and clothes, overlooking invisible blessings like health, relationships, and family bonds. These qualitative blessings are more valuable than material ones. Recognizing this helps us say, "Away from me, Satan." We worship the Lord who blesses us holistically—materially and spiritually—in our society, family, health, and beyond.

So, maintain a singular focus on the Lord to follow His value system and reach your true destination.

Jesus often spoke about the Ten Commandments, giving them deeper meaning beyond mere ritual. He took the first commandment, "You shall worship only the Lord," and emphasized its essence. When asked about the greatest commandment, Jesus summarized the entire Bible into two commandments: love the Lord with all your heart and love your neighbor as yourself. This encapsulates the Bible's message, turning the Bible into a narrative and commentary on these two commandments.

The Bible repeatedly stresses loving the Lord with all your heart. Jesus exemplified this by constantly meditating on, praying to, and serving God. Others in the Bible came close—David sang praises but had flaws; King Asa destroyed idols but later hardened his heart; Paul praised God even in jail and wrote letters to churches.

When we fully worship the Lord, we reach our highest potential. Biblical characters show how this commandment transforms lives. Even today, those who wholeheartedly worship God see their lives change and perform miracles. Conversely, falling short of this commandment has consequences.

God wants us to inherit His promises, achievable only through complete devotion. Imagine the promise that "the days of the righteous are ever shining until noonday"—our lives growing brighter each year, defying worldly expectations of decline after 60.

Psalm 1 likens those who follow God's will to a tree by streams, prospering in all they do. If this promise comes true in our lives, everything we touch prospers—at home, work, society, and church—filling our mouths with laughter and joy.

This is the life God desires for us: one of inherited promises through wholehearted worship. The Ten Commandments guide us to this abundant life by urging us to love and worship God with all our heart and mind.

References

• The ’Evidence for Belief’: An Interview with Francis Collins: https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2008/04/17/the-evidence-for-belief-an-interview-with-francis-collins/
• First Indian teacher of India: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savitribai_Phule
• https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/faith-and-character/faith-and-character/jesuit-philosopher-recounts-time-with-mother-teresa.html
• My message in Tamil: https://youtu.be/81hKMtF5RqY
• My message in Tamil & Hindi: https://youtu.be/RJEvr0gf5IE