Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, The power and the glory,
The victory and the majesty;
For all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours;
Yours is the kingdom, O Lord,
And You are exalted as head over all.
1 Chronicles 29:11 (NKJV)
Series: His Name is Jesus
Choose your battles wisely. Ever been given this advice? This phrase cautions us to be selective on the disagreements, arguments, or debates we take part in. It encourages us to let the small things go and focus on matters that have deeper importance to us. Not every problem is worth a knock down drag out fight, and not every insult is worth losing sleep over. We should consider if the time, energy, mental health, or effort will matter in the long run before we decide to put on those boxing gloves.
But when it comes to our faith, how does this motto hold up? As believers, we might feel the urge to step into the ring every time someone has a negative remark regarding our beliefs. Marching into battle with vengeance is one option, but Jesus teaches something different. He urges us to have self-control. Scripture is crystal clear that our battles belong to the Lord. We read in Exodus 14:14 that the Lord will fight for Israel; they need only be silent. And King David said, “For the battle is the Lord’s” in 1 Samuel 17:47. In Matthew 28:18, Jesus Himself tells us this truth:
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (NKJV)
Jesus is humble and gentle of heart, and God the Father has given Him all authority. His example instructs us to evaluate whether it be beneficial to stir up a commotion. Before we act prematurely let us look at each situation and weigh whether or not the character or sovereignty of Jesus is in question. King David partook in many battles, but God provided His direction and instructions in them. He fought or held back depending upon the power and authority of God Almighty. Are we walking into all our days giving Jesus the same authority? Are we asking Him if we should speak or be silent? Do we see others with love while holding fast to the Truth of the gospel? If Jesus is your Savior, He is the Lord of your life and He should have the ultimate word in any situation.
Paul teaches us about the Divine Nature and Absolute Supremacy of Jesus Christ in Colossians 1:15-18 (NKJV):
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Through this passage we learn the supreme significance in who Jesus truly is. Jesus is the visible representation of God the Father. If you want to know what God looks like, you need only to look at Jesus. He is the Firstborn over all creation. Jesus is established as the Ruler and Author of all creation! He unifies and sustains all things in the universe. He holds it all together. And Jesus is our Savior; He is the first to defeat death through His resurrection. This means He holds first place in everything!
In Ephesians 1:22 (NKJV) Paul further confirms God’s placement of Christ by writing:
And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,
Knowing Jesus as the Head of the Church, our Mighty Savior, the King of Kings, Defeater of Death, let us confidently seek His authority in every area of our lives! We are not alone in the battles we face because He holds them in His hands. Being offended won’t be our way of life, because we are new creations in Christ Jesus. We stand firm against the enemy of our faith, measuring everything against the powerful Word of God. By doing this, Jesus is in first place in our lives, and we will not allow worldly things to hold power over us.
Let’s pause and look even deeper at the power of Jesus. For believers, Jesus’ sovereignty provides us ultimate security. It means regardless of the situation, trial, or global event, nothing is outside of His awareness. Jesus can work all things together for the ultimate good of those who love Him. Find comfort in this truth, find hope in His promises, and seek the face of your Savior.
What a beautiful, powerful, unrivaled name. The Name of Jesus.
Holding Fast to Hope,
Jen
Scripture References: 1 Chronicles 29:11; Exodus 14:14; 1 Samuel 17:47; Matthew 28:18; Colossians 1:15-18; Ephesians 1:22; Jude 1:24-25