Ash Wednesday

The First Commandment.

You shall have no other gods.

What does this mean?--Answer.

We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things.

As a little girl, we were taught this commandment through Bible stories. We used it as a memory verse. Simple enough. Short memory verse, and how easy, ”No other Gods.” I wasn’t going to build a golden calf to worship, how silly!

As I’ve grown, so has my understanding of this commandment.

God gave us land, sea, air and sun to sustain us, not for us to worship. (Genesis 1:1-19) God gave us gold and silver and other precious medals for practical use, not to worship. (Proverbs 8:10, Psalm 115)  God gave us the gift of animals for us to care for and for food, clothing, and companionship. Not for worship. (Genesis 1:20-25) God gave Adam his wife Eve, just as He gave me my spouse, to love, honor and cherish. Not to worship. (Genesis 2:15-24, 1 Corinthians 13:13)  God gave us our bodies not to worship, but to take care of and serve Him while here on earth. (Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 8:1-12) The list goes on and on. You can add whatever, but the bottom line is, to God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit give ALL the glory, honor and praise.

-Betty Sielschott 

Almighty and everlasting God, You despise nothing You have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent., Create in us new and contrite hearts that lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness we may receive from You full pardon and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  

O Lord, who art our God, and who hast commanded us to have on other Gods before Thee; grant us to fear, love and trust in Thee above all else; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord.

Image Julius Schnoor von Carolsfeld © WELS
Collect for Ash Wednesday Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing St. Louis

A Lutheran Prayer Book by John Doberstein © 1960 Mulenberg Press, Philadelphia