April 27, 2018 - - Psalm 138:2 What has God exalted above all things?
/I will bow down toward your holy temple
and give thanks to your name
for your steadfast love and faithfulness,
for you have exalted above all things
your name and your word.
Psalm 138:2 ESV
As far as sports go, it is an interesting time of year. Hockey teams are vying for the Stanley Cup (sorry Leafs, next year?!). Soccer is on. Basketball. Baseball has started. And so on, and so on. Each team is pushing for the trophy of its league and the honour which accompanies it. There are parades and ceremonies and people striving to touch or kiss the coveted trophy held up by the winning team.
Yet, the Bible gives an entirely different view of what is precious and praiseworthy. Above all honours, all ticker tape parades, all things--God has exalted the Name of Jesus and God has exalted His Word--the Holy Scripture.
Jesus has the highest honours as the One Who lived a sinless life, perfect in every way. He endured torment and suffering unimaginable and remained obedient to His Father. In His suffering Jesus took our place, bearing God's curse against sin, so that all who believe in Jesus are set free from God's curse against sin.
The Word, Holy Scripture, is exalted because it is the only, true, reliable witness to the finished work of Jesus.
Think about it for a minute. If you had the Stanley Cup in your house, you'd take every opportunity to boast, shout about it, and tell all your friends. You have something dearer, greater, costlier: the Word of God. Declare the greatness of the Word. Tell everyone about the Name of Jesus--the only Name by which men, women and children are saved from the curse of death and hell and raised to new life.
Blessed be Your Name, Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You, Father in heaven, for revealing to the world Your extravagant love, displayed with such splendour in Jesus Christ and documented in Holy Scripture. Spirit of the Living God, nurture in all believers an ever greater love and esteem and reverence for Jesus and His Word. Steady the steps of believers so that we turn from sin, repenting of evil and with all joy and humble obedience walk in the way of Holy Scripture to the honour and glory of Jesus' Name. Amen.
