Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on October 19, 2016, is provided by Pastor David Kwon of Journey Community Church (Raleigh). David, a graduate of Drexel University and Columbia International University (M.Div.) is married to Helen (“Pie”) and they have three beautiful daughters (Cara, Phoebe, and Ruth).
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“The Greatness of Our God”
Hebrews 1:7-9
Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”8 But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
As we have been reading through Hebrews, the author of the book is giving us a picture of the greatness of God. He is greater than all things and all of creation points to Him. Today, we are going to see that God is sovereign over all things because He is a mighty Ruler. In verses 7-9, the writer demonstrates the superiority of Christ to angels by contrasting their status: the angels are servants, but the Son is sovereign. His throne and scepter show us that His rule is ultimate and will never end.
The Sovereignty of God is the biblical teaching that all things are under God’s rule and control, and that nothing happens without His direction or permission. God works not just some things but all things according to the counsel of His own will (Eph. 1:11). The Christian author A.W. Pink in his book The Sovereignty of God puts it like this:
“What do we mean by [the sovereignty of God]? We mean the supremacy of God, the kingship of God, the god-hood of God. To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that God is God. To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is the Most High, doing according to His will in the army of Heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth, so that none can stay His hand or say unto Him what doest Thou? To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is the Almighty, the Possessor of all power in Heaven and earth, so that none can defeat His counsels, thwart His purpose, or resist His will (Psa. 115:3). To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is “The Governor among the nations” (Psa. 22:28), setting up kingdoms, overthrowing empires, and determining the course of dynasties as pleaseth Him best. To say that God is Sovereign is to declare that He is the “Only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords” (1 Tim. 6:15). Such is the God of the Bible.”
What does this mean for us? Simply, it means that we can trust God in all things because He is in control. When we worry and fear about circumstances and situations in our lives, it often means that we forget the sovereignty of God – which is that He is in absolute control of all things in this world and in our lives. Are their areas in your life where you are neglecting His sovereignty? Take some time in prayer this morning and ask for a greater trust in Him as you are reminded that He is the Sovereign Lord.
Prayer: Lord, thank You that You rule and reign over all creation and in our personal lives. Help me to trust You in all things as I am reminded of that truth. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Exodus 29
Lunch Break Study
Read Matthew 6:25-34: “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 28And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, 29yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. 34“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
Questions to Consider
- When it comes to the area of worry, what is the main issue Jesus is pointing to?
- What is the solution to anxiety over our future?
- How can we be comforted by this passage?
Notes
- The reason why we get anxious about our life and future is because we lack faith. We lack faith that God’s ways are best, and that He will provide for us in His time.
- The way that we overcome worry is by making His kingdom the highest priority (v. 33). We seek His kingdom, and we trust that He will add things that we need.
- We can be assured that God knows and cares for our every need. He desires us to trust in and to seek the things of His kingdom.
Evening Reflection
In what areas do you need greater trust in God? Be specific and lift those areas up to the Lord in prayer.