Has anything changed today? Unfortunately not. In Ezekiel’s time, standing on a foundation of idolatry eventually gave way to calamity and destruction in the worst possible way you could imagine. Instead of joy, there was panic (Ezekiel 7:7). Instead of peace, there was terror (Ezekiel 7:23). God was so upset by His people’s actions, that when His perfect plan indicated that judgment day had come, He turned His face away from them (Ezekiel 7:22). I don’t know about you, but I can’t think of anything sadder than that. 

So if we don’t want to stand on a shaky foundation of idolatry, what’s the alternative? Standing firm on Jesus. Keeping Him first in our lives! When we order our lives around Him, then no matter what comes our way, we can stand firm and strong. 

A beloved former student of mine absolutely loves the game of basketball, and he’s pretty darn good at it. It brings him immeasurable joy! But I went to one of his games recently, and unfortunately he suffered an ankle injury in the middle of the first half and was out for the rest of the game. Not only that, he ended up having surgery and is missing the remainder of the season. When I spoke to him after the game, this sweet boy’s eyes were red, and his shoulders were drooping. It’s his senior season! He had actually just returned to action after a different injury, and then got knocked down again, losing the chance to enjoy playing one final year of high school basketball with his buddies. 

As I drove home after the game, I couldn’t help but continue thinking about the disappointment and devastation of the entire situation. Thankfully, this student of mine loves the Lord, and He knows that there’s more to life than basketball. But my mind kept wandering to those who aren’t standing on Jesus’ firm foundation. When we falter and start standing on hobbies, relationships, jobs, money, status, or power instead of the laws and decrees of God, any peace and joy we experience is shallow and temporary. Idolizing something like basketball means that when you get injured, the obstacle feels insurmountable. Loving God above all else, on the other hand, means that when you face a setback, your peace and joy remain firmly intact. 

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” -Matthew 7:24-25

Is the Holy Spirit convicting you right now about someone or something in your life that you’re prioritizing above God? Here are three simple ways you might be able to tell whether or not you’re placing God first. 

• Track how you spend your time all day every day over the course of a week. Are you giving time to Jesus?
• Look at how you spend your money. Categorize everything you spend over the course of a month. Notice any trends? 
• At the end of the day, think back on your thoughts from the day. As you got ready for the day, drove, walked, worked, ate, etc. What were you thinking about? Was there something you were obsessing over? Do you often spend most of your time thinking about that one person/idea/thing? 

If the Holy Spirit is waving a red flag in your heart, today is the day to make a change. “Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart and with ALL your soul and with ALL your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5, emphasis added). Place God first in your life, and His inexplicable joy and peace will be yours. 

He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure. -Isaiah 33:6