Above All

Sometimes a thought the Lord gives can be very simple but still very encouraging. That's the way this one is. There's a song that eloquently describes how God is "above all" things on earth, all wisdom, all power, etc. It proceeds to explain despite all of that, Jesus chose the cross and thought of ME above all else.

It was a great encouragement to me. Jesus is infinitely more powerful than even the most intelligent minds could comprehend, and yet, Jesus thought of my salvation above all else in the world. While it is an encouragement, it's also a challenge. Jesus put everything on the line for me, and I don't want his death to be wasted on me. I know that He would have died for anyone even if there was only one person to save, but I don't want to waste the opportunity He gave me. I want to serve Him and love Him with all that I have.

There's a passage in Ephesians where it details how we in times past were full of lust, "fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind," and in general were displeasing to God. All of these sins separated us from the Father. The story doesn't end there. Ephesians 2:4-5 says:

"[4] But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, [5] Even when we were dead in sins hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace are ye saved;)."

He thought of me above all. He knew our fallen state but loved us enough to come to our rescue. We owe our whole life to Him.

I know this thought is simple and may not resonate with some as it did with me. But, it's a blessed thing to realize that God is above all of the earth. He's above all of our problems and hurts. Despite His majesty and ability, He chose to come down to earth in a lowly manger and die a horrific death to save us from sin, from troubles, from hurts, and ultimately from ourselves. I don't want His sacrifice to be in vain.

Another verse he has recently inspired to me is Joshua 23:14. This verse is Joshua speaking near the end of his life. He had been through all of the miracles God had performed during his life and had experienced incredible things God had done during that time. It reads:

"And, behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth: ye know in all your hearts and in all your souls, that not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof."

Even after all of the things that assailed him in life -- the Israelites doubting, the Jericho walls, and the battles, Joshua's testimony was that the Lord had not failed of ALL the good things He promised His children. He also reminded the Israelites that they knew in their hearts and souls that this was true. It's easy to get caught up in the times of disappointment or doubt. The Israelites doubted Joshua and Caleb's report that the land was theirs for the taking. I'm sure they were weary of marching around the walls of Jericho. They might not have had faith that they could come through to the other side of the battle victorious every time.

Yet, as Joshua pointed out, they KNEW that God had always been above all of those things and had been faithful to keep His children. I'm thankful that I, too, can cling to that promise. Maybe I get tired at work and feel like nothing is going right. I know that God is above all. And when I'm old enough to actually look back on life and reflect, I will also be able to testify of the Lord's faithfulness to me if I stay saved.

I never want to forget that God's power and wisdom means He is above all in this world. This story is a needful reminder of that.

Here are the words to the song:

Above all powers
Above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man
You were here before the world began
Above all kingdoms
Above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure what you're worth

Crucified
Laid behind the stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose, trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all

Above all troubles
Above all hurts
Above all problems we have here on this earth
Above all wisdom and all the ways of man
You were here before the world began

Crucified
Laid behind the stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone
Like a rose, trampled on the ground
You took the fall
And thought of me
Above all

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsgdU-9I_YI

Keep encouraged!