Monday, October 23
Day 1: Acknowledging God’s Sovereignty
Where do you turn your eyes when you find yourself in the midst of success, stress, suffering, or uncertainty?
- In success, do you turn your eyes inward to what you have done or accomplished?
- In stress, do you turn outward and find yourself fixated on all the situations and people around you that are causing you great stress?
- In suffering, do you turn downward, not looking around at all the resources available to you by the very presence of God and His people?
- In uncertainty, do you turn your eyes to all the complexity, confusion, craziness of uncertain times? Does uncertainty push you toward fear, anger, hopelessness, consuming the news, internet, or those external voices who serve to cloud your vision and capture your heart?
Where do you turn your eyes?
This morning when I was reflecting on all going on around us, my focus turned to Colossians 1:15-23. In moments when I am with someone who is going through a season of stress, suffering, or uncertainty, I try to remind them of what Jesus is saying to us through this passage. There is also great truth in it for those in a season of great success.
Turn your eyes to what is being said to us:
SCRIPTURE
Colossians 1:15-23
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.”
Jesus, our Redeemer is our Creator. He created all things—the earth, the complexity and vastness of the universe. All things—visible, invisible—thrones, rulers, authorities. You. Me. Your family. Your neighbors. Those whom you will sit next to at PCC. Your friends. Our enemies.
But don’t miss what you must remind yourself of, especially when you wake up to sudden uncertainty.
“He is before all things, and he holds all things together.”
He has authority over all things.
Nothing catches our Savior, Redeemer, and Creator by surprise.
Our Savior holds all things together.
The other day I was reading a story of the son of a key Hamas leader who at one time was participating in the horrors of the organization. Then there came a moment when his gaze was turned to the redeeming work of Jesus on the cross. He turned his eyes to Jesus, embraced the hope of the gospel, and Christ became the center of his life and focus!
I have no idea what the news holds for this day, but I encourage you to be certain to turn your eyes to Jesus.
Here are two simple steps for today:
- Pray Colossians 1:15-22 (see above).
- Listen to this rendition of “Turn Your Eyes on Jesus”.
PRAYER
Father God, I come before You with a heart full of gratitude, embracing the truth of your authority over all creation. I acknowledge that Your Son, Jesus Christ, is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. In Him, all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.
Lord Jesus Christ, You are before all things, and in You, all things hold together. You are the head of the body, the church, and you are in everything. You have the final word. Through the work You did on the cross You made a way for me to have peace with God out of your love poured out for me.
Holy Spirit, I thank You for opening my heart to this truth, for allowing me to be reconciled to God through the sacrifice of Christ. Help me, in response to this overwhelming love and grace, to continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, not moved away from the hope of the gospel I have embraced.
Today, I place my success, stress, suffering, and uncertainty in your hands, knowing you are the one who truly holds all things together.
In the name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.
By Ron Williams
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