“… that they may know that You alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.”
(Psalm 83:18)
The Bible affirms without question that Jesus is God, and Philippians 2:6-11 elaborates on that truth beautifully. Speaking of Christ, Paul explains:
“Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage. Rather, He made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of God the Father.”
Christ is Lord of all because God exalted Him to the position of highest supreme Sovereign. As Lord, He orders all things in heaven and on earth. As Jehovah God who has supreme authority, He also possesses unlimited power. Therefore, He is able to bring to pass whatever He wills (Ps. 33:6). He is able to command the sand on the shoreline to sit still if He wills. He is able to cause a virus to bring the world to its knees if He so desires. He is in command of it all for He is Lord.
Christ’s power in creating and preserving His universe should serve to bolster our faith (Ps. 146:5-6; Isa. 37:16; Jer. 37:17; Acts 4:24), because the same power of Jehovah to create and preserve all things is the same power that accomplishes and fulfills all His promises. No matter what situations we find ourselves in, Jesus the Lord Most High protects and keeps us for He is in control of it all.
Christ’s power to order providential circumstances over the whole of creation, His power over life and death, heaven and hell should cause us great awe and reverence, moving us to trust and adore Him all the more (Luke 12:5).
- O Glorious Majesty, You alone are worthy of my worship. Possess my soul with a holy awe and reverence of You, that I may give You the honor due Your name. Help me honor and respect all things which relate to You, that I may never profane Your name or Your nature. And since You are a God that will not clear the guilty, let the dread of Your justice make me tremble with the mere thought of sin. Put a godly fear in my heart, that I may not depart from You but may with fear and trembling work out my own salvation through the power of Your Spirit.
- Lord, Your holy Word teaches me that You are not only Father, but also LORD. You are not only my Forgiver, but also a Revenger. You are not only Savior; You are also Judge. You show mercy, yet You also punish and condemn. Keep me in mind of all these aspects of Your nature.
- Lord, You comfort me, quicken me, and bring me into everlasting life. But You have also given me Your law which reproves, accuses, and condemns. Were it not for Jesus Christ, I would certainly be thrown headlong into everlasting damnation. I am thankful that You are a gentle Savior, as well as a most righteous Judge, as nothing is so effective for keeping me from sin as a holy and godly fear of You and Your judgments.
- Lord, teach me to love You as Father, honor You as Savior, adore You as Lord and fear You as Judge.
- O Lord God, develop in me a reverent fear of Your Name, that I may delight in Your Commandments and serve You without fear of my enemies in holiness and righteousness all my days.
Further References for Psalm 83:18
Ps. 97:9; Exo. 6:3; Isa. 54:5; Micah 4:13; Jer. 16:21; Eph. 4:6
