I Chronicles 29:12 ” Wealth and honor come from You; You are the Ruler of all things. In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. “

In this prayer, King David was acknowledging that it was only from God – the source of everything –  that he possessed  abilities and achievements.  David was also acknowledging  the sovereignty and authorship of God as he viewed the world around him.  Later, his son Solomon would write in Ecclesiastes 5:19-20, ” When God gives any man  wealth and possessions,and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work – this is a gift of God.  He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.”  Recognizing and thanking God for His benevolence in our lives gives rise to one of the greatest gifts we can ever receive…it’s peace and contentment.

Job 1:21 ” Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”

Job couldn’t understand what had happened to him…he had just lost all his children and his livelihood.  Yet here, he acknowledges God’s total sovereignty.   We also will go through tragic times…times when we shake our head in utter bewilderment at the senseless acts we see and hear about.  So we need to be reminded here that our Lord’s power has not diminished…His authority and supremacy has not waned in light of the increasing  evilness  in the world.  God’s rule is still absolute…His dominion still remains established and true.  We may not be able to understand…but we can echo Job’s words, “May the name of the Lord be praised.”

Psalm 102: 26-27 “They will perish, but You remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing You will change them and they will be discarded. But You remain the same, and Your years will never end.”

We live in a very disposable world.  There is nothing we own that will last forever…everything will eventually  be thrown away.  But as the Psalmist proclaims here, there is one thing that will last forever…and His name is the Lord Almighty.  For God’s reign is everlasting.  His throne is firmly  established in justice,  and He will reign without ceasing…for eternity.

Mark 10:15 ” I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

In a toddler’s mind,  all things are pretty simple…their priorities are food, sleep, and play.  They trust at face value… always looking for the good in things.  So as an adult,  why can’t we do the same thing when it comes to the Gospel Message?  Why can’t we readily accept and embrace the Kingdom of God and everything that goes with it? It’s sadly because the World has clouded and distorted our perception.  The Gospel Message doesn’t need to be over-thought…there’s no hidden agenda or bait and switch tactics involved.  You get what you see with God and His Word…for He is trustworthy and true, and His promises will never fail.

Colossians 1:21 ” Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.”

The sinful nature, with all its evil desires and thoughts can not coincide with God…for sin keeps us separated from Him.  The world views God with indifference…but He views it as an enemy.

II Corinthians 6:16 ” For we are the Temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘ I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”

Life from whom all living things derive their viability and existence only comes from the Lord above.  And as the Body of Believers, we not only receive life and breath from the Father, but  we also are given the Holy Spirit to reside within us.

Ephesians 4: 4-6 ” There is one body and one Spirit – just as you were called to one hope when you were called – one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, Who is over all and through all, and in all.”

The invitation was given…you accepted…and that first hope was born within your heart. Now having answered that call, you have become a child of the King…the absolute, sovereign God ruling over everything and everyone in accordance to His Eternal, Holy, and unchanging Will.