Ultimately, the answer to peace and joy in life is figuring out the answer to one question: How many gods are there?

Some people's answer is, "Many." Other people's answer is, "Zero."

God had made sure the Old Testament people of Israel knew his answer to that question. Many, many times over God repeated this to them: "There is only one God. And that is me."

When Jesus arrived, he wanted the people around him to know this truth, too.

So when the opportunity presented itself through the question of one of the Jewish teachers of the law, Jesus made sure that he -- and those around him -- knew this truth as well.

"One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, 'Of all the commandments, which is the most important?'

'The most important one,' answered Jesus, 'is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one'" (Mark 12:28-29, NIV).

There is only one God. And the greatest commandment is to love him with all my heart, all my soul, all my mind, and all my strength.

Anything else, anyone else, is the sin of idolatry.

One God. He loves you with everything he's got. Even to the point of forgiving you after you have allowed an idol to stand in his place.

Amazing.

Our Bible reading for Thursday, March 5, is Leviticus 13:1-59, Mark 12:28-44 and Proverbs 6:20-29.

Lord God, help me to remember always that there is only one of you. Remove from my heart every temptation toward idolatry. I am truly sorry for the idols that threaten to displace you in my heart. Please forgive me, and fill my heart until you crowd every idol out. You have made me the singular object of your love. May I make you the singular object of my love.

Header image based on "one" by Chinn, CC By 2.0