First Things First.
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The dawning of a new year, is a fresh call unto each of us—to put first things first; and it is only by heeding this call that we are prepared to start it aright. The greatest tragedy of life, is to dissipate our energies on secondary things, and spend our time and strength on that which cannot satisfy.Alas, how much time have we wasted in the past! But a new year affords us another opportunity to mend our ways: how much of it, then, are we going to improve and conserve for eternity? The answer to that question will be determined by how far we put first things first.
It is one thing to recognize and realize that it is both our duty and wisdom to put first things first—and quite another to actually do so. It is much to be thankful for, when light from above makes plain the path wherein we should walk—yet something more than illumination is required, in order for us to traverse the same. Strength, power, enablement, is indispensable—and these we don't have by nature. Have we not already been made painfully aware of this fact? Then have we humbly acknowledged it to God, and sought from Him fresh supplies of grace? Let us say with Jehoshaphat, when the enemies of Israel assembled against them, "O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do—but our eyes are upon You" (2 Chron. 20:12).
What is it to put first things first?
First and supremely—to give God Himself His rightful place in our lives, and render to Him that which is His due. "This is what the Lord says—Israel's King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty—I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God" (Isaiah 44:6). The great "I am" is self-existent and self-sufficient. Because He is the First—He should be first served. The world had its beginning from Him; we had ours, and therefore at the beginning of the year, and of each day, it deeply concerns us to take Him along with us. God is the sum of all excellence, being inexpressibly blessed in Himself. How He should attract us! God is possessed of infinite benevolence, which is guided by unerring wisdom, and He has all-mighty power at His disposal. What an Object for our most fervent affections! Shall, then, every glittering toy become a rival to this transcendently glorious Being and rob Him of our hearts?
Let us form the habit (if we have not already done so) of directing our first conscious thoughts unto Him, who has preserved us through the night. Begin the day by definitely bringing the Lord God before your heart, contemplate His wondrous attributes, prostrate your soul before Him in worship, adore Him for His glorious perfections. Say with holy David, "My voice shall You hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto You" (Psalm 5:3). Nor will this be either difficult or irksome—if we turn the eyes of our souls unto Him. It is beholding the beauty of the Lord—which puts in tune the strings of our harps, and enables us to make melody in our hearts unto Him.
Nor is this all. By solemnly paying homage to God and rendering to Him the honor which is due His great name—we promote obedience, and we strengthen the obligations that we lie under, to observe His statutes and keep His commandments. By our humble and frequent adoration of His perfections, conformity to His will will be easier, for His authority over us will be more strongly felt.
"Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33). God is to be given the preference above all others. Let not any business prevent our seeking communion with Him—nor hinder the maintenance of it. There are many things we would like to do—but other things deter us. We wish to visit a dear friend—but the pressure of other concerns thwarts us. But this must never be the case with our seeking unto God: that is the "one thing needful" to which everything else must be made to give way. It is not at all necessary for our highest good—that we be great in the world, or advance our estate in it to such and such a pitch—but it is absolutely essential that we obtain God's favor and keep ourselves in His love. No worldly business whatever can serve to excuse our attendance upon God. Nay, the more important our worldly business is—the more need have we to apply ourselves to God by prayer for His help in, and blessing upon it. The closer we keep to God in prayer, the more likely are our affairs to prosper.
Second, to yield ourselves up unreservedly to God. Of the Corinthian saints we read that "they first gave their own selves to the Lord" (2 Corinthians 8:5), which should be done by us at the beginning of each day. This means that they (1) gave their hearts to Him—being won by His loveliness; that they (2) surrendered their wills to Him—to be governed by Him; that they (3) devoted their lives to Him—seeking His honor and glory. "Lord, we wait for You in the path of Your judgments. Our desire is for Your name and renown. I long for You in the night; yes, my spirit within me diligently seeks You early" (Isaiah 26:8, 9). Our desire must be not only towards the good things which He gives—but towards God Himself—His favor and love, the manifestation of His gracious presence to us, and the influences of His grace upon us. Our wills are to be surrendered to God, as the servant is yielded to his master's pleasure, in everything consulting His desires and interests. God's will is to be our sole rule, His precepts the regulator of all we engage in. Our lives are to be devoted to His glory; acknowledging Him in all our ways, following Him fully as Caleb did.
Third, to keep our hearts with all diligence (Proverbs 4:23). It is not enough that our outward conduct be proper—the springs from which it issues, must be right. "First clean the inside of the cup and dish—and then the outside also will be clean" (Matthew 23:26). The stream itself cannot be sweet—if the fountain-head is foul. A corrupt tree will not bear wholesome fruit. Alas, how widely neglected is this inward cleansing! How generally isexternal reformation substituted for internal mortification. And why is this?—because we are far more concerned about the approval of our fellow-creatures, than we are to obtain the approbation of our Creator. Our actions come beneath the gaze of man—but the springs from which they proceed, are under the scrutiny of God. He who "weighs the motives" (Proverbs 16:2) demands purity of heart. We are required to judge the motives which actuate us, to make conscience of evil lustings and vain imaginations, and to take ourselves to task for wandering thoughts when engaged in Divine worship.
Fourth, The Christian is first to manifest godliness in the family circle. "Let them first learn—to show piety at home." (1 Timothy 5:4). We would specially press this upon the attention of those who are so anxious to engage in what they term "service for the Lord." The "service" which God requires from all of His people—is not a running about here and there, asking impertinent questions of total strangers and prattling to them about Divine things—but to be in subjection to Himself, and to walk obediently to His Word. To talk to other people about Christ, is far easier than the task which He has assigned to His people—to deny self, take up our cross, follow Him, and to show piety at home. Actions speak louder than words: it is by our conduct we are to make manifest Whose we are. Christians are to "show forth" by their lives (rather than tell forth with their lips) "the praises of Him who has called them" (1 Peter 2:9). We are first, "to show piety at home," then in the Church, and then in the world—for if there is no piety in our home life—then all our seeming piety in the Church, and before the world—is but hypocrisy and self-deceit!
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