I’ve been reading some of the lesser-talked-about books of the Old Testament: Hosea, Ezra, Micah. The ones you don’t usually see on cute devotional graphics.

This week, I felt led to study Jeremiah. At first, it looked like the same story: Israel drifting again. I almost rushed through it. But instead, I slowed down and asked, what was really happening around them?

That’s when things shifted.

Baal was the most prominent idol competing for Israel’s allegiance in Jeremiah’s time. He was believed to control rain, crops, harvests, and fertility. In an agricultural society, that meant money, food, and survival. Baal wasn’t just spiritual to them, he was economic.

Baal was also worshiped by Israel’s neighbors and political allies. Including him made relationships easier. It meant protection, trade, and stability.

And Baal was predictable. He didn’t speak. He didn’t correct. He didn’t call anyone to repent. You performed a ritual and expected a result. No relationship. No obedience. No heart change (see Jeremiah 2:13).

Most Israelites didn’t abandon God completely. Baal wasn’t their main god, he was their backup. If God didn’t respond fast enough, Baal was there as insurance.

That realization hit me late one night when I should’ve been asleep.

Israel started to sound… familiar.

When we scroll instead of pray.
When we trust algorithms more than God.
When we soften our convictions for social or political acceptance.

We still “do church.” We listen to sermons. We open Bible apps. But God often gets what’s left over. Our devotion is divided, between God, our phones, our image, our comfort, and our need for approval.

So here’s the hard question:

Was idolatry worse then, or is it now?

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” - Matthew 6:33

The phrase “seek first” comes from the Greek word ζητεῖτε (zēteite).

It doesn’t mean look for once or check in occasionally.
It means to pursue intentionally, repeatedly, as a priority.

And the word “first” (πρῶτον – prōton) means first in order, not just importance.
As in: before anything else happens.

Jesus isn’t saying, “Seek God eventually.”
He’s saying, put God at the front of the line, and let everything else follow.

The Challenge:
Practice Matthew 6:33 daily.

Before your phone. Before the noise. Before the rush. Pause and say: “God, I choose You first today.”

That’s it.

One verse. One sentence. One reordered priority, every day this week. Let us know how it goes.

What we’re reading: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry reminds us that following God means choosing peace and intention over rush, and learning to walk with Him at His pace.

What we’re watching: This sermon by Phillip Anthony Mitchell at the Word of Life Church prayer conference is a powerful reminder to develop and invest in a consistent prayer life with God.

What we’re listening to: Through the Word is a daily Bible podcast that walks you through Scripture one chapter at a time, helping you understand God’s Word clearly, consistently, and in context.

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