ADORATION – Reflect on God’s Greatness
GOD IS SOVEREIGN God approves and determines every action necessary for the existence and activity of himself and all creation.
Scripture frequently indicates God’s will as the final or most ultimate reason for everything that happens. Paul refers to God as the one “who accomplishes all things according to the counsel of his will” (Ephesians 1:11). The phrase here translated “all things” (ta panta) is used frequently by Paul to refer to everything that exists or everything in creation (for example, Ephesians 1:10, 23, 3:9, 4:10; Colossians 1:16, 17; Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians. 8:6, 15:27–28). The word translated “accomplishes” (energeō, “works, works out, brings about, produces”) is a present participle suggesting continual activity. Paul’s statement might be more explicitly translated, “who continually brings about everything in the universe according to the counsel of his will.”
Praise God because He is Sovereign
Praise God because He sees every action. Praise God that He is the one who reigns over every action and over all of the universe. Praise God that He is constant in His sovereignty.
CONFESSION: Confess your sins to God and receive his continued mercy.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
THANKSGIVING: Giving thanks to God for his specific blessings in our lives.
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100
SUPPLICATION: Bringing our requests to God.
- Bring your personal prayer requests to God.
- Pray for our local, state, and national leaders.
SCRIPTURE READING:
James 1:9-12- Christian Standard Bible
9 Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his exaltation, 10 but let the rich boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field. 11 For the sun rises and, together with the scorching wind, dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance perishes. In the same way, the rich person will wither away while pursuing his activities.
12 Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION:
Is 40:6 All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them.
Surely the people are grass. grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever.”
Psalm 49:16-17 Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him.
Consider the rich and famous alive at this moment. Contemplate those who live in the limelight of our time. Why are they celebrated? Is it because of the good they do? Sometimes, but not usually. Is it because of the character they possess? No, not often. They are celebrated because they have become rich and famous. Where are the rich and famous from past generations? They are either dead or living in obscurity far from the limelight. This exercise is not to encourage you to despise the rich and famous or to rejoice if they end their lives in emptiness. This time of reflection is to encourage you to consider your own heart. What is it that you want your life to count for? It can seem that the rich, powerful, and famous are making the most difference in the world while we are largely on the sidelines, making a meager difference. But God has chosen to use those who are not powerful in the eyes of the world to change the world. He does this by using us, largely off the radar, doing good and godly things for the good of others and for his glory. Rejoice! Your labor in the Lord will never be in vain. Nothing done apart from the Lord will last. Everything done in his name will last forever.