Scripture provides examples of individuals who have allowed God to take priority in their lives, and also of those who have allowed something or someone else to take priority.
God's glory made a priority
So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.
Commands to put God first
Matthew 4:10 parallel Luke 4:8 See also Deuteronomy 6:13; 1 Chronicles 16:29
“Away from Me, Satan!” Jesus told him. “For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’”
Examples of putting God first
Genesis 5:22, Genesis 5:24 Enoch; Genesis 6:9 Noah; Genesis 12:4 Abraham; Joshua 24:15 Joshua; 2 Kings 20:3 Hezekiah; Daniel 3:16–18 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego; Daniel 6:10 Daniel; John 3:29–30 John the Baptist
Disapproval of not putting God first
Exodus 20:3 See also Luke 16:13
You shall have no other gods before Me.
Examples of not putting God first
Acts 12:22–23 See also 1 Kings 11:4 Solomon; 1 Kings 15:3 Abijah; 2 Chronicles 25:2 Amaziah; Jeremiah 3:10 Judah; Acts 5:1–5 Ananias and Sapphira; Romans 16:17–18
And they began to shout, “This is the voice of a god, not a man!” Immediately, because Herod did not give glory to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.
Worship commended as the highest human activity
Psalm 95:6 See also Psalm 96:9, Psalm 99:5; Zechariah 14:17; John 4:24
O come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.
Outstanding examples of worship
2 Samuel 6:14–15 David was prepared to be despised by his wife rather than inhibit his worship. See also Exodus 3:6; Isaiah 6:3; Ezekiel 1:28; Daniel 6:10; John 9:38; Revelation 1:17
And David, wearing a linen ephod, danced with all his might before the LORD, while he and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and the sounding of the ram’s horn.
God's kingdom made a priority
Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Commands to participate in the kingdom
Matthew 6:33 See also Luke 19:11–27
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
Examples of wholehearted participation
Acts 26:19 See also Hebrews 6:12, Hebrews 12:1–2
So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.
Warning against half-hearted participation
Sacrifices for the kingdom advocated
Revelation 2:10 See also Matthew 5:29 parallel Mark 9:47; Matthew 18:8
Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison to test you, and you will suffer tribulation for ten days. Be faithful even unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Examples of sacrifices for the kingdom
Hebrews 11:26 See also 2 Corinthians 11:23–30; Philippians 2:21–22, Philippians 2:30; Revelation 2:13
He valued disgrace for Christ above the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his reward.
God's will made a priority
Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Conformity to God's will commanded
Ephesians 5:17 See also 1 Thessalonians 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:18; Hebrews 13:20–21; James 4:15
Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.
Outstanding examples of conformity to God's will
Matthew 26:39 parallels Mark 14:36, Luke 22:42 See also John 4:34, John 6:38; Acts 20:22–24
Going a little farther, He fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will.”
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.