In Your Strength, Lord, the King Rejoices (Psalm 21:1–13)

 

In Your Strength, Lord, the King Rejoices (Psalm 21:1–13)

Where does our joy and gladness come from? What is true joy and gladness? People seek joy and happiness, yet no one can escape pain and suffering. In fact, there is often more pain than pleasure. This world disappoints us, but the hope of heaven—the hope that will never put us to shame—is the true source of our joy and gladness. Amen!

In Psalm 21:1–13, King Jesus Christ rejoices in the Lord’s strength and is greatly glad in His salvation. It is because the Lord God raised Christ, who died and was buried, from the dead, breaking the power of death and giving eternal life to all who believe.

The King rejoices in your strength, Lord, and is greatly glad in your salvation

1 The king rejoices in your strength, Lord. How great is his joy in the victories you give! 2 You have granted him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. 3 You came to greet him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head. (Psalm 21:1–3)

Where does joy and gladness come from? The King, our Lord Jesus Christ, rejoices in the Lord’s strength and is greatly glad in His salvation. True joy and gladness come from the Lord God.

But what is this joy and gladness like? It is not something the world can give. People find joy in eating, seeing, sexual pleasure, gaining wealth, achieving success, marriage, and having children. The problem is, all these things are temporary. No matter how well you eat today, you must eat again tomorrow. You travel to enjoy the pleasure of seeing new things—but these joys fade. Such things are neither wrong nor useless; rather, they remind us of the truth that nothing in this world can truly satisfy the human heart.

Then how is the joy that comes from heaven different from what the world offers? God is the source of joy and gladness that the world cannot give. He gives salvation by His mighty power—the same power that raises the dead. The power of His resurrection can only be received by faith. Therefore, the joy and gladness that God gives can be experienced always, regardless of circumstances or place.

Jesus suffered on this earth, yet He was always filled with the joy and gladness that the Father gave Him. This is because the Lord granted His heart’s desire and did not withhold His prayer (Psalm 21:2). God heard Jesus’ plea, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing,” and gives eternal life to everyone who believes in Him (John 3:16).

Moreover, God welcomed Him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on His head (Psalm 21:3). The Father welcomed His Son who obeyed even unto death, setting Him on the highest throne and appointing Him as Judge over all creation. Though Jesus was rejected, persecuted, and despised by His people and by the world, the Father in heaven received Him with glorious blessings and crowned Him with gold.

9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9–11)

Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty

4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—length of days, for ever and ever. 5 Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty. 6 Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence. 7 For the king trusts in the Lord; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken. (Psalm 21:4–7)

Jesus Christ died so that we might have life. God accepted His sacrificial death and gave eternal life to all who believe. This shows that the way of the cross is the way of life. Here, “life” means eternal life—not merely long life or quantity, but quality. Some may be breathing and appear alive, yet without eternal life they are spiritually dead.

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

The way of the cross that Jesus walked is the path that leads to life. Through His blood shed on the cross, we are reconciled to God (Colossians 1:20). To fulfill this promise, Jesus became flesh, took up the cross, and died a redeeming death.

God saved Jesus Christ from the grave and raised Him from the dead. He made Him the firstfruits of the resurrection, greatly glorifying Him and clothing Him with honor and majesty (Psalm 21:5). He made Him King of kings and Lord of lords, so that every knee should bow before Him.

However, as the prophet Isaiah prophesied, Jesus was despised and rejected by people, and there was nothing beautiful or desirable about Him.

2 He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. 3 He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. (Isaiah 53:2–3)

But the Lord Almighty exalted His Son who suffered, poured out endless blessings on Him, and filled Him with joy and gladness (Psalm 21:6). Jesus received that joy and delight only from God the Father. This is because Jesus fully trusted His Father, and through the unfailing love of the Most High, He was never shaken (Psalm 21:7). In the same way, those who trust and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ will never be put to shame or be shaken because of God’s unfailing love.

As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” (Romans 10:11)

We do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved (Hebrews 10:39).

Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies

Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes. When you appear for battle, you will burn them up as in a blazing furnace. The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath, and his fire will consume them. You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from mankind. (Psalm 21:8–10)

The king’s enemies refer to Satan, the devil, and those who follow him. The devil does not submit to God or His word but opposes Him. Without reason, he hates God, resists Him, and disobeys. Like a roaring lion, he prowls around looking for someone to devour. He disguises himself as an angel of light to deceive and cause people to fall. The devil is the one who led Judas Iscariot and countless others into deception, destruction, and ruin.

The devil deceives people through the allure of money and success, because no one is free from desiring them. The enemy is cunning, skillfully wrapping lies in the appearance of truth. Human sexual desire, too, is powerful and strong. Throughout history, even many clergy have fallen through sexual immorality.

But King Jesus Christ will expose every hidden enemy who deceives from behind the scenes and will execute righteous judgment on them. The piercing eyes of the Lord are like flames of fire—no one, not even Satan, can hide from them. For instance, when a person does wrong, they cannot escape the pangs of conscience. On the last day, the wrath of God will come, and His enemies will be swallowed up and consumed like fire in a furnace. The prophet Isaiah foretold what would happen to the fallen enemy who receives God’s judgment:

But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit. Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate: “Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble, the man who made the world a wilderness, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?” (Isaiah 14:15–17)

The devil and all who follow him will face God’s judgment and be cut off from among the living. Those who resist God and refuse to obey Him will have no place in heaven or on earth. For them, there is only hell prepared. God opposes the proud who stand against Him, and His wrath will bring their final destruction.

Be exalted in your strength

Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed. You will make them turn their backs when you aim at them with drawn bow. Be exalted in your strength, Lord; we will sing and praise your might. (Psalm 21:11–13)

God blesses those who obey Him, but He punishes those who rebel and oppose Him. The world plotted to harm the King, Christ, and crucified Him, but God raised Him from the dead. The schemes of this world will come to nothing, for God Himself opposes His enemies.

Therefore, all the hosts of heaven and earth sing: “Be exalted in your strength, Lord; we will sing and praise your might.” This is our song and our prayer. As we follow the way of the cross and our flesh is crucified with Him, the glory and majesty of God are revealed. Then the love, joy, and peace of God flow in our hearts like a river. Amen.

October 19, 2025

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

 

The LORD God Is Your Keeper (Psalm 121:1-8)

 

The LORD God Is Your Keeper (Psalm 121:1-8)

We always need help. God, who created and formed us, knows our needs and the best way to help us better than anyone else. He does not leave us to stand alone but desires that we always depend on Him and come to Him for help. Jesus promised His disciples, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you” (Matthew 7:7-8). That is why we pray without ceasing.

As 2024 comes to a close and the new year approaches, we are grateful for one thing above all else: our Lord God has shown us His grace of salvation daily through His Son, Jesus Christ. We cannot live without the love, joy, and peace that God the Father pours out in Christ each day. God delights in opening the heavens and generously giving to His children whenever and wherever they call upon Him. Amen! Happy New Year!

My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth

A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1-2).

This psalm is a song of ascents. The psalmist lifted his eyes to the mountains, referring to the mountain where the temple in Jerusalem stood, and proclaimed that his help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Where does our help come from? Our help also comes from God, who created heaven and earth by His Word.

Life is filled with challenges and pressures from birth to death. We cannot live without help – sunshine and rain. Yet, our help is not found in the wealth, success, status, fame, or power of this world—not even in health. These are necessary but cannot be our ultimate help. Above all, we desperately need the grace of forgiveness because without it, there is no life. Wealth, status, fame, or power cannot bring forgiveness of sins. Without forgiveness, we cannot enter the kingdom of heaven which is eternal, imperishable, undefiled, and unfading. Only those who believe in Jesus Christ, the Son sent by God, can enter.

Therefore, our help comes only from the LORD God. It is a heavenly and spiritual help that descends from above. Jesus, though born on earth, came from heaven by God’s mighty power. He reigns in glory, authority, power, and majesty. His kingdom and authority are eternal, holy, perfect, just, and overflowing with peace and righteousness.

In contrast, this world, ruled by Satan, is corrupt, evil, and rebellious. Satan, the father of lies and a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44), rejected God’s help, rebelled, and fell under a curse. Deceived by his cunning lies, the world has fallen into sin. Humanity, in Adam, remains trapped in darkness, ignorance, and confusion. Satan falsely promises all the kingdoms of the world to those who follow him, disguising lies as truth. He prowls like a roaring lion, seeking to devour.

Satan took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me” (Matthew 4:8-9).

However, Satan’s help is deceptive and leads to destruction. He incites vengeance under the guise of justice, but it only brings turmoil and distress, not peace (Romans 2:9).

It was right that Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords, had to judge this sinful and rebellious world. Yet instead of condemning it, He bore its sin on the cross and gave His life. Despite Satan’s temptation to save Himself, Jesus became the Passover Lamb to save the world from sin and death. Only the blood of Christ, shed to forgive and cleanse us, is our true help.

The LORD who keeps you will not slumber

He will not let your foot slip—He who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep (Psalm 121:3-4).

Our true help, the Lord God, keeps us from stumbling and neither slumbers nor sleeps. Because the Lord God watches over us, we are safest in His care. Our enemy, the devil, seeks to harm and devour us whenever and wherever he can. But the Lord Almighty, with His eyes like blazing fire, protects and watches over us (Revelation 1:14).

God visited Abraham, who was burdened and struggling, and repeatedly assured him that He would keep and protect him, just as He had promised.

"After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: 'Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.'" (Genesis 15:1)

When Isaac dug wells in Beersheba, water was always found. However, Abimelek’s army came and claimed the wells as theirs, filling them in. In response, Isaac moved to another place and dug new wells. Once again, his adversaries came, quarreled, and seized the wells. Isaac yielded and moved to yet another location, digging more wells. Eventually, Abimelek, recognizing God’s power, authority, and glory in protecting Isaac, approached him with a desire for peace.

"28 They answered, 'We saw clearly that the Lord was with you; so we said, "There ought to be a sworn agreement between us—between us and you. Let us make a treaty with you 29 that you will do us no harm, just as we did not harm you but always treated you well and sent you away peacefully. And now you are blessed by the Lord."'" (Genesis 26:28-29)

The Lord God, who watches over Israel, sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to save it from sin at the appointed time, through the Virgin Mary. For 400 years after the prophet Malachi, no word came from God. Yet, God neither slumbers nor sleeps. He sent an angel to Mary in the town of Nazareth in Galilee to announce the birth of the Savior.

"'31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.'" (Luke 1:31-33)

Nearly 2,000 years have passed since Jesus’ resurrection and ascension. Some mockingly ask, "Where is this 'coming' he promised?" (2 Peter 3:3-4). But Jesus is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). The Bible warns that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When that day comes, it will be irreversible.

"But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare." (2 Peter 3:10)

The LORD is your shade at your right hand.

The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night (Psalm 121:5-6).

How does the Lord God protect Israel? God becomes their shade at their right hand. In the desert, shade is incredibly important. God protected and guarded Israel by appearing as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. The desert is hot during the day and cold at night. During Israel’s forty years of wandering in the wilderness, God provided manna from heaven, brought water out of the rock, and ensured their clothing and sandals did not wear out. He protected them from surrounding enemies, allowing them to pass in peace, and defeated those who refused to open the way.

Abraham, with a small number of men in his household, defeated the powerful coalition of Kedorlaomer and his allies to rescue his nephew Lot. After his victory, God sent Melchizedek to bless Abraham and revealed the secret of how he had overcome his enemies and rescued Lot.

“And he blessed Abram, saying, ‘Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth. And praise be to God Most High, who delivered your enemies into your hand.’ Then Abram gave him a tenth of everything” (Genesis 14:19-20).

God watched over and protected Abraham, who had obeyed His promise and lived as a sojourner in Canaan. Though Abraham did not receive the promised inheritance during his lifetime (Hebrews 11:39), God surrounded him with His grace and love, keeping him safe in His hands. Thus, Abraham looked forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God—the heavenly kingdom. While living as a stranger on this earth, Abraham worshiped the Lord God alone.

The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in

The LORD will keep you from all harm—He will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore (Psalm 121:7-8).

We face trials and tribulations in this world, but we are safe because God protects us. Even Jesus, who was without sin, came to this earth and suffered trials and afflictions. He had committed no crime deserving punishment, let alone crucifixion. Yet He endured it all in obedience to fulfill the redemptive will of His Father, God. At that time, God raised Jesus from the cold tomb and exalted Him to the highest place in heaven, making Him the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Jesus called His disciples and revealed that He was the Christ sent by the God of their ancestors. He demonstrated this through His teachings about the kingdom of heaven, miracles, signs, healings, and the casting out of demons. Furthermore, Jesus bore the sins of the world, shed His blood, died on the cross, was buried, and rose again on the third day as proof of His victory. Thus, Jesus became the atoning sacrifice that brings peace between God and humanity. Anyone who believes in Jesus Christ and is cleansed by His blood is reconciled with God and becomes an heir of all the riches of heaven.

Jesus said to His disciples:

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

The Lord Almighty, our God, is the One who watches over us as we go out and come in. He protects us not only during our life on earth but for all eternity. This promise is like an anchor for our souls. When we face trials and suffering, our heavenly Father does not abandon us like orphans but guards and protects us.

Even in this world, there are limits to how much our closest family members can protect us. However, our heavenly Father is all-knowing and all-powerful, fully capable of meeting all our needs without lacking anything. Amen!

December 29, 2024
Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2024, David Lee Ministries ©2024 – All Rights Reserved.
Scripture quotations are from New International Version (NIV).

 

This Mystery Is Christ in You, the Hope of Glory (Colossians 1:24–29)

 

This Mystery Is Christ in You, the Hope of Glory (Colossians 1:24–29)

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight (Ephesians 1:4). But to save those who were lost in sin, Jesus Christ shed his blood and died. In Christ, through the grace of forgiveness of sins and salvation, we were restored to be holy, without blemish, and free from accusation before God (Colossians 1:22).

But this does not happen automatically. To continue to stand with confidence before the throne of God’s grace, we must remain in faith, stand firm on the foundation of Christ’s blood, and not be moved from the hope held out in the gospel. The hope of the gospel is living by the power of the resurrection. This means continually remaining in the grace of Christ’s blood. Whoever abides in grace denies himself and depends wholly on God. At that time, God continues to give heavenly rewards—love, joy, and peace—without holding anything back.

In Colossians 1:23b–29, Paul speaks about participating in the sufferings of Christ and about the glorious mystery that was hidden for ages but is now revealed to the Lord’s people. That mystery is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Amen!

“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. 24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.” (Colossians 1:23b–29)

Paul, a Servant of 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.” (Colossians 1:23b)

This gospel proclaimed to all creation is the gospel of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. It is good news of great joy, bringing salvation to all humanity. This was the message of blessing from heaven’s angel to the shepherds in the town of Bethlehem at night (Luke 2:10). This gospel is salvation through the forgiveness of sins by the blood of Christ.

Paul persecuted Christ, but on the road to Damascus he was converted and called to be a servant of the gospel. In particular, Paul was sent as the apostle to the Gentiles, and he proclaimed this gospel in Asia, Macedonia, Achaia, and even to Rome. From the first century until today, the gospel of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, has been proclaimed to the whole world.

I Fill up in my Flesh What is still Lacking in Christ’s Afflictions

“Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.” (Colossians 1:24)

This letter is a prison letter. Paul, imprisoned for the testimony of Christ, writes to the believers in Colossae to proclaim the gospel. From a worldly point of view, it was an unjust situation, yet Paul considered suffering a joy. Endurance and patience with joy are fruits of the power of the Holy Spirit. Enduring suffering with joy is possible because God strengthens us with all power according to his glorious might (Colossians 1:11). This is God the Father’s will. To know his will, we need the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.

When facing suffering and pain, it is not natural to rejoice. But through the benefit gained from suffering—that is, through God’s glorious grace—we can rejoice. God’s glorious grace is received by participating in Christ’s afflictions. The apostle Peter exhorts us to rejoice in participating in the sufferings of Christ:

“12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name” (1 Peter 4:12–16).

Christ’s afflictions lacking in Paul’s flesh do not mean there was anything insufficient about Christ’s death on the cross. Jesus offered himself once for all, making atonement for our sins and making us holy (Hebrews 10:10). What remains of Christ’s afflictions are the sufferings we endure for the name and testimony of Jesus Christ. Jesus told his disciples in advance that the world would hate and persecute them (John 15:19).

Undeserved suffering and pain are bitter, painful, distressing, and shameful. Yet in Christ Jesus we not only enjoy spiritual blessings from heaven but also rejoice in suffering together with the Lord:

“2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (Romans 5:2–5).

This mystery is Christ in you, the hope of glory

“I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness—26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:25–27)

God chose Paul before the creation of the world and called him to be an apostle to testify to the gospel of Christ. God entrusted him with the task of building up the church of Christ and used him to fully reveal and make known the mystery of Christ. In the same way, we have each received different gifts in Christ. These gifts are a grace, given for the building up of the body of Christ, the church.

What is this mystery? This mystery is Christ in us, the hope of glory. This mystery was hidden through the ages and generations. In the beginning, when God created man in his image and likeness, male and female, this was his purpose. From the beginning, God made man to be his dwelling place, his royal residence.

God’s purpose for man from the beginning is revealed in Ephesians 4:13: “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” God’s purpose for the complete person is to attain the fullness of Christ, to be conformed to him.

This mystery has now been revealed to the saints through Christ’s incarnation, death, and resurrection. What was hidden was seen only dimly by the patriarchs like Abraham. But now in Christ, the riches of this mystery among the Gentiles have been revealed.

The Gentiles were originally far from God’s grace. “Remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world” (Eph. 2:12). In the Old Testament, there were cases of Gentiles who received salvation, such as the widow of Zarephath, Naaman the leper, and Rahab of Jericho.

But now, in Christ, the door of salvation has been opened wide to all Gentiles. One of the first Gentile churches was planted in Antioch, and from there Paul and Barnabas were sent by the Holy Spirit to testify to the gospel of Christ among the Gentiles. Paul, together with Timothy, Silas, Mark, Barnabas, Luke, and others, testified to the gospel of Christ Jesus throughout Asia, Macedonia, Achaia, and even Rome in the first century.

How is Christ in us the hope of glory?

Christ in us means that the Holy Spirit, according to God’s promise, comes to dwell in those who believe. At the Last Supper in the upper room, Jesus promised his disciples that when he left (referring to his death, resurrection, and ascension), the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, would come to be with them.

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you” (John 14:16-18).

When we were young, how much comfort we felt when our mother or father was beside us, and how anxious we were when they were not. There is a saying about being lonely in the middle of a crowd. The pain of rejection is deep. When our hearts are heavy, we can feel as though we are abandoned at sea. And beyond this, every one of us will one day stand alone before our Creator God to give account. When God descended on Mount Sinai, the Israelites trembled with fear and pleaded not to hear God speak directly but through Moses (Exod. 20:19).

But Jesus comforted his disciples, saying he would not leave them as orphans but would come to them. Indeed, after his resurrection, Jesus appeared to them several times to instill faith and comfort them. Ten days after his ascension, on the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came in power upon the 120 gathered in the temple (Acts 2:1-4).

In the flesh, Jesus was limited by time and space. But the Spirit, the Holy Spirit, is always with the disciples wherever they are. Christ in us is with us forever, guiding us into all truth, protecting us from evil, and keeping us safe. Even if we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil, for our Lord Jesus Christ is with us (Ps. 23:4). Therefore, Christ in us is surely the hope of glory for all who believe.

Whenever we get something new or receive a gift, it feels good. A promotion or an award is delightful. But compared to Christ in us, these are nothing. They cannot compare. The Son of God, Christ, who made and upholds all things, dwells in us. There is no greater gift of grace than this. Christ Jesus in us is unseen, but we see him with eyes of faith.

To present everyone fully mature in Christ

“He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.” (Col. 1:28-29)

Paul proclaimed and taught the truth of the gospel, whether in person or by letter, to present everyone fully mature in Christ. This is a process—from being born again in Christ and beginning the life of faith, to progressing toward maturity. Just as hope for heaven sprouts and grows, so also our spiritual lives grow step by step. As people pass from infancy to childhood, adolescence, youth, and adulthood, so believers move gradually from the beginning stages toward maturity.

For a child to grow, food and exercise are essential. Growth cannot happen without growing pains. For us to continue to grow in Christ, we need the nourishment of God’s Word and the obedience of faith. Jesus obeyed the Father, even to death. That is true obedience. Paul, too, strove with all his strength, following Christ Jesus, who worked powerfully within him. Amen!

September 28, 2025

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

 

Continue in Your Faith, Established and Firm, and Do Not Move from The Hope Held Out in the Gospel (Colossians 1:21–23)

 

Continue in Your Faith, Established and Firm, and Do Not Move from The Hope Held Out in the Gospel (Colossians 1:21–23)

Christ, the Son of God, is the Creator of all things. Yet instead of coming as the Judge of all, exercising His power and authority to condemn the world, He chose to come as Savior. On the hill of Golgotha, He was nailed to the cross, shedding His blood as an atoning sacrifice.

Through this, God began a new creation in Christ, building His church on the rock and bringing it to completion. Jesus Christ is the head of the church, the beginning, and the firstborn from among the dead. God reconciled all things to Himself through the blood of Jesus Christ.

In Colossians 1:21–23, Paul exhorts believers to remain in the faith, to be established and firm, and not to move from the hope held out in the gospel, because through the blood of the cross God has reconciled us to Himself, making us holy, without blemish, and free from accusation.

“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22 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— 23 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.” (Colossians 1:21–23)

Enemies of God Through Evil Behavior

Before we were in Christ, we were enemies of God. Becoming God’s enemy is the worst condition a human being could face. Yet, without ever choosing it ourselves, every person is born already separated from God. This is the unavoidable destiny inherited from Adam.

Through Adam’s sin, corruption entered humanity. In Noah’s day, God saw that sin filled the whole earth and judged it with the flood (Genesis 6). He saw that every inclination of the human heart was only evil all the time (Genesis 6:5). Even after the flood, the thoughts of the human heart were evil from childhood (Genesis 8:21).

God is the Creator, and man is the creature. God made man male and female, in His image and likeness, and blessed them to rule over every living thing (Genesis 1:27–28). Yet, deceived by the cunning devil, they ate the forbidden fruit and fell. As a result, Adam and Eve hid from the face of God. Shame entered humanity, sin brought separation, and people could no longer stand confidently before God.

What are these “evil deeds”? Above all, people neither glorified God nor gave thanks to Him. Their thinking became futile and foolish, and their hearts were darkened (Romans 1:21). Claiming to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of God for images of man and animals (Romans 1:23). Their wickedness is shown in every form of sin: sexual immorality, wickedness, greed, depravity, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossip, slander, arrogance, boasting, disobedience to parents, faithlessness, heartlessness, and ruthlessness (Romans 1:24–31).

This reveals the absolute necessity of salvation. Without reconciliation with God, people remain under His wrath and eternal judgment (Hebrews 9:27). Even in this life, they are bound by sin and death, experiencing trouble and distress (Romans 2:8).

Reconciliation Through Christ’s Physical Body

“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.” (Colossians 1:22)

Christ gave His body as a sacrifice of atonement so that we could draw near to God again with confidence (Romans 5:2). Through His blood, our hostility toward God was removed, and we now have peace with Him (Colossians 1:20). God even willed to give up the life of His own Son to accomplish this (Isaiah 53:10).

Through the blood of the cross, God reconciled us in order to present us holy, without blemish, and free from accusation in His presence. By the once-for-all offering of Christ’s body, we have been made holy (Hebrews 10:10). Even before creation, God chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless in His sight (Ephesians 1:4). In Christ, through the riches of His grace, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7).

Therefore, because we are holy and blameless in Christ, we can now approach God’s throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). No longer enemies, we are at peace with God and have become His beloved children, heirs of His kingdom and spiritual blessings (Romans 8:17). We drink the living water that flows from His throne and live in eternal life (John 4:14). The old has gone, the new has come in Christ, and the gates of Hades can no longer prevail against us (2 Corinthians 5:17; Matthew 16:18).

These heavenly blessings and living water are experienced through fellowship with God—sharing in His love, His joy, His peace, and His patience. By His love, we love others. By His joy and peace, we live in gladness. By His patience, we endure with hope.

Yet, this does not happen automatically after being born again in Christ. Because we received grace through His blood, we must again and again draw near with boldness to God’s throne of grace by the same blood. It is like a lamb orphaned from its mother, clothed in another lamb’s skin, and thereby able to receive milk.

This shows that in ourselves we have no power or authority to do good. As Paul confessed, though he desired to do good, he often did the evil he hated (Romans 7:19). We carry the body of death (Romans 7:24) and long to be delivered from it (Romans 8:23).

Therefore, to come boldly before the throne of God’s grace, we must repent. Repentance is needed because in our flesh we cannot do good by our own strength. Since we live in the body, there is a desire to act by the power of the flesh. Repentance is laying this down and depending fully on God. “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).

For example, we may want to forgive and love, but we cannot as we wish. At that moment, there is a fleshly desire not to forgive and not to love. That is our will. Therefore, repentance means laying down our own will.

“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” (Colossians 1:23).

So how do we, being reconciled with God, come before the throne of grace to drink the water of eternal life? It is by continuing in the faith, established and firm, not moving from the hope held out in the gospel.

In short, it means always remaining in the grace of the blood of the Lord. To remain in the grace of the Lord is to continue to believe that through the merit of Christ’s blood we have been forgiven, and that we have been adopted as God’s beloved children. Through this faith we inherit the hope of the gospel, the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven. By the blood of Jesus Christ, the hope of heaven is unshakable and secure.

Paul says in Colossians 1:4-6 that the saints bear fruit and grow throughout the world because of faith, love, and hope:

“Because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all God’s people— the faith and love that spring from the hope stored up for you in heaven and about which you have already heard in the true message of the gospel that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace” (Colossians 1:4-6).

To remain in the faith means concretely to follow the way of the cross that the Lord Jesus Christ walked. Jesus, being sent by God the Father, came into this world in the flesh and obeyed the will of the Father, becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross (Philippians 2:5-8).

Jesus rose again on the third day after his death. This is why we follow the way of the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ in faith. There is no glory without suffering. There is no resurrection without the cross. If we are to hold firmly to the hope of heaven without wavering and continue in the faith, we must be clothed with the power of the resurrection. The only way to be clothed with the power of the resurrection is to follow the way of the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.

This specifically means self-denial and the death of the old self where sin resides. To die means to bear shame, sorrow, and pain. For this reason, Jesus, though He had no sin, first bore the cross of shame, pain, and sorrow on behalf of the sins of the world.

God the Father raised Jesus Christ, who obeyed unto death, and seated Him at the highest throne in heaven, making Him Judge over all.

“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” (Philippians 2:9-11).

If we follow the Lord Jesus Christ, bearing shame, sorrow, and pain, denying ourselves and dying, God will not abandon us. He will raise us up again and bless us to reign with Christ (Ephesians 2:6).

Therefore, blessed is the one who hears this gospel. That blessing is to stand firm in the hope of heaven through the power of the resurrection, never shaken. Amen!

September 21, 2025

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

 

Christ Is the Head of the Church, His Body (Colossians 1:18–20)

Christ Is the Head of the Church, His Body (Colossians 1:18–20)

Jesus, who was crucified and shed his blood for us, is the Creator God who made heaven and earth by his word. Jesus created what is seen and what is unseen, every power, authority, and dominion, and he rules and sustains all things with his authority, glory, and power. Nothing can resist his authority and power. Yet, people fell into sin, trapped in ignorance and darkness, unable to know God or obey him. Jesus Christ, as the Judge of all, should judge the world in righteousness and justice. But instead of condemning the world, Jesus bore our sins and was crucified, shedding his blood. He offered the authority and power of the Creator as a sacrifice before the throne of heaven to bring salvation to this world.

God looks upon the blood of his Son, and to anyone who believes, he forgives sins and gives eternal life. God looks upon the blood of his Son, passes over the sins of those who believe in Jesus Christ, opens the gates of heaven, and pours out immeasurable grace. When we recognize our sins and come before him with a broken and contrite heart, God cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). No sin of man can surpass the grace of God. Truly, God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son without holding back. He did this while we were still sinners. Now that we have become God’s children through faith, Paul says, how much more will he love us:

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32).

Colossians 1:18–20 tells us that Jesus Christ, who is the head of the church, his body, died on the cross and rose again, becoming the firstborn from among the dead, and through his blood on the cross reconciled all things to himself.

The Head of the Church, His Body, Jesus Christ

“18 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. 19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 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.” (Colossians 1:18–20)

Jesus is the head of the church, his body. A body cannot exist without a head. The head of a human body is the brain. The brain is the central organ of the nervous system that controls all human activity—thinking, emotions, memory, learning, behavior regulation, maintaining bodily balance, and integrating higher cognitive functions and physical operations. It consists of the cerebrum, brainstem, and cerebellum, each responsible for processing sensory information, sustaining life functions, and coordinating movement, playing an essential role in our existence.

The brain and the body constantly exchange and cooperate with information. The brain commands the arm to move toward what we want to grasp, and the body obeys. At the same time, the body sends sensory signals such as light and sound to the brain, allowing it to perceive and judge. The brain is the control center, and the body is the executor, functioning together in an organic relationship to sustain life.

Without Jesus Christ, the head of the church, the church cannot exist by itself. The church on earth is his body, established upon the rock of Christ’s blood. The church is not a building but the believers in Jesus Christ. The body is made up of many members. Each believer is connected to the body of Christ, the head, and functions as a different part. God gives different gifts to each member: some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers, some to serve, some to administer, and some to give generously (Ephesians 4:11–12; 1 Corinthians 12:8–10; Romans 12:6–8).

The gifts are diverse, but the one who gives them is the same—Jesus Christ, the head of the church. Each member uses their gift, received from the Lord Jesus Christ, to build up the church. Just as the body parts function in union with the brain, the believer who has received a gift continually receives life, authority, and power from the Lord Jesus Christ and offers it back to him. Just as the members of the body cannot be separated from the brain, we cannot be separated from Jesus Christ, the head. Separation means losing function as a member and losing life.

Christ is the Beginning and the Firstborn from the Dead

Jesus Christ is the beginning. In Colossians 1:15–17, we see that Jesus is the Creator who made all things, visible and invisible. But here, the “beginning” means the beginning of the new creation. Why is a new creation necessary? Because this world has fallen into sin. In the beginning, everything God made was very good. Everything was completed as God willed. The vast universe and all creation operate with perfect order, sustaining life in an environment designed by God.

Yet, there was one who rebelled against God’s authority, power, glory, and honor—the fallen angel, the devil. He deceived the woman, and she gave the fruit to her husband Adam, who also ate. As a result, just as God said, “You will surely die,” mankind in Adam lived physically but died spiritually. This means the perfect union with God was broken.

After Adam’s fall, God came to him and promised that the offspring of the woman (singular, male)—the Son of God, Christ—would crush the serpent’s head (Genesis 3:15). When the set time had fully come, he was conceived by the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary in Nazareth, Galilee, and born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:4–7). When the time had fully come again, Jesus Christ was arrested on the Mount of Olives, condemned by the Sanhedrin, sentenced to death by the Roman governor Pilate, and crucified on the hill of Golgotha, shedding his blood (Luke 22:47–53; 22:66–71; 23:13–25; 23:26–49).

The death of Jesus Christ was a sacrifice, an atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world (John 1:29). The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23a). The death of Jesus was to break the hopeless destiny of mankind, trapped under the power of death. Through the precious blood of Jesus Christ, God forgives sins and delivers man from the chains of death.

God gave proof of this by raising Jesus Christ from the dead on the third day by the power of the resurrection (Luke 24:6). Jesus Christ died and rose again, becoming the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:23a). Following the resurrection of Jesus Christ, those who belong to him will be raised when he comes again (1 Corinthians 15:23b).

Through his death and resurrection, Jesus Christ destroyed the old self and established the new self. The old self, which was under the power of sin and death, died with Christ, and he created the new self under the law of the Spirit of life in the resurrection (Romans 8:2). Therefore, every church is a member belonging to Christ Jesus, who is the head of the church.

And Jesus Christ himself is the supremacy over all things. Christ not only upholds and sustains all creation that he made, but as the head of the redeemed church, he is the Lord who supplies every grace and life. This means that the solar system, the earth, people, animals, grains, plants, fruits, the sea, mountains, and even the invisible powers and authorities are under his rule and reign. It also means that from the beginning of the church, redeemed by faith, until its completion, Christ is Lord over all growth.

The Father Dwells in Fullness in the Son

God made all his fullness dwell in his Son, Christ. In Jesus was the Spirit of the Lord—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2). This is the delight of God the Father. Everything that Jesus Christ did during his public ministry, from his incarnation until his sacrifice as the atoning sacrifice on the cross, was the work of God the Father dwelling in him in fullness. Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15).

So Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does” (John 5:19).

God the Father was pleased to reveal the secrets of the kingdom of heaven through Jesus Christ, to heal the sick, and to drive out demons. God was pleased through Jesus Christ to open the eyes of the blind, to raise the dead, to walk on water, and to calm the wind. God was pleased to teach the secrets of the kingdom of heaven through many parables and to give the hope of heaven. God was also pleased to give words of warning of judgment to those who disobeyed.

Therefore, God the Father was pleased to reconcile to himself all things through the blood of his Son’s cross—things on earth and things in heaven—by making peace through Christ (Colossians 1:20). Because of man’s fall, the ground was cursed (Genesis 3:17). All creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed, longing for restoration (Romans 8:19–22). The restoration of all things is accomplished through the blood of Jesus Christ, who is supreme over all.

God made a covenant with Israel through Moses at Mount Sinai. When God made a covenant with his people, Moses sprinkled the blood of animals on the altar and on the people. This blood foreshadowed that through the blood of Jesus Christ all things would be reconciled to God.

“Moses came and told the people all the Lord’s words and laws. They responded with one voice, ‘Everything the Lord has said we will do.’ Moses then wrote down everything the Lord had said. He got up early the next morning and built an altar at the foot of the mountain and set up twelve stone pillars representing the twelve tribes of Israel. Then he sent young Israelite men, and they offered burnt offerings and sacrificed young bulls as fellowship offerings to the Lord. Moses took half of the blood and put it in bowls, and the other half he splashed against the altar. Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, ‘We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey.’ Moses then took the blood, sprinkled it on the people and said, ‘This is the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words’” (Exodus 24:3–8).

Why was blood required? Because without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22). The life of a creature is in the blood (Leviticus 17:11). The blood in the body carries oxygen and nutrients to every part, removes carbon dioxide and waste, fights infection, and stops bleeding when injured—it is essential to sustaining life. Losing 20% of blood puts life in danger; losing 30% results in death.

The covenant God made with his people is a covenant of blood. The tabernacle in the wilderness and the temple in Jerusalem could be described as slaughterhouses. Countless bulls, sheep, and goats were slaughtered and their blood sprinkled on the altar. The remarkable thing is that when God made the covenant with his people, before they kept the law or offered sacrifices, blood was already sprinkled on the scroll and the people through Moses. See Hebrews 9:18–22:

“This is why even the first covenant was not put into effect without blood. When Moses had proclaimed every command of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. He said, ‘This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.’ In the same way, he sprinkled with the blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:18–22).

Two things stand out here. First, even before the people kept the law or offered sacrifices, God had already forgiven their sins. This means God’s righteousness is not obtained by human works but only through faith. Second, reconciliation with God comes only through the blood of Christ. Not only the people but even the scroll (the Word) was sprinkled with blood, pointing to the covenant of God being sealed with the blood of Christ. The sprinkling of blood on the tabernacle and on all the vessels used in sacrifice shows that through the blood of Christ, all things are reconciled to God.

September 14, 2025

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

 

He Is Before All Things, And In Him All Things Hold Together (Colossians 1:13-17)

He Is Before All Things, And In Him All Things Hold Together (Colossians 1:13-17)

We have received God’s grace in Christ. Through his grace, we received the Holy Spirit as promised, and he dwells in us forever. By the wisdom and understanding of the Holy Spirit living in us, we are able to discern God’s will, walk in a way worthy of the Lord, and live lives that please him. A life that pleases the Lord is, first, bearing the fruit of the Spirit; second, growing in the knowledge of God; third, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that we may have great endurance and patience with joy; and fourth, offering thanksgiving to God with joy.

Who is Jesus? The one who was laid in a manger in Bethlehem two thousand years ago is in fact God himself. God became flesh and came into this world to save it from sin and death. Jesus, the promised Christ of God, took on human flesh and became incarnate, suffering the pain and punishment of the cross in order to offer his body as the Passover Lamb before God. Though he had no sin, Christ bore the sin of the world and shed his blood unto death.

In Colossians 1:13–17, Paul declares that this Jesus Christ is the Creator God who made heaven and earth, and that even now he rules over and sustains all that he has made.

Jesus Rescued Us from the Dominion of Darkness

13 For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves,14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13–14)

We have become children of light. This is because Christ Jesus became the atoning sacrifice for us. In Adam, we were trapped in the grip of sin and death and unable to inherit the kingdom of heaven. We could not enjoy God’s love, joy, and peace but only lived in misery and tribulation. But now, by the merit of Christ’s blood, we have been set free from darkness and made children of God’s love, heirs who enjoy all the inheritance of his kingdom. This is why we give thanks in everything. Therefore, we are equipped to live lives worthy of the Lord’s grace and to please him.

The Son Is the Image of the Invisible God

15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 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. 17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:15–17)

Jesus Christ, who set us free from the dominion of darkness, is the image of the invisible God. The invisible God appeared on this earth in human likeness. The words and works of Jesus reflected the image of God. Most of all, when Jesus died on the cross, he clearly revealed God’s heart of love for sinners. He also healed every disease, walked on water, raised the dead, and answered every question. Even when falsely accused, arrested, and interrogated, Jesus showed himself as the Lord of all.

Jesus is the Firstborn over All Creation

Jesus Christ is the firstborn over all creation. This does not mean he is a created being like us, nor that he is less than God. Rather, as God’s firstborn Son, all authority and power belong to him. He is the Word who was with God in the beginning, and through his Word all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made (John 1:3).

Jesus Christ is the Creator God. Everything visible and invisible was made through him. Thrones, powers, rulers, and authorities were all created through Christ and for Christ. The universe is vast. Countless stars fill the cosmos, moving at astonishing speeds around the solar system. With the advancement of astronomical technology like the Hubble Telescope, we now know that countless galaxies exist, and the presence of invisible black holes has been confirmed.

Look at the earth we live on. Deep inside, magma boils at thousands of degrees. The ocean reaches depths of 10 kilometers. The earth revolves around the sun at 107,000 kilometers per hour and rotates at 1,670 kilometers per hour. Gravity keeps the earth from veering out of orbit.

Look at the human body. Every tongue and fingerprint is unique. Hair grows 12 inches a year, lungs spread wide enough to cover a tennis court, and the thigh bone can support 1,300 pounds. The heart beats 100,000 times a day—over 3 billion times in a lifetime. Blood vessels stretched out in a line would circle the earth four times. The small intestine reaches 7 meters, skin sheds 30,000–40,000 cells a minute, and the total number of body cells is about 60 trillion. Cartilage in the ears and nose grows throughout life, and the liver can regrow to its original size within four weeks even if two-thirds is removed.

Jesus Made All Authority and Power

Jesus also made all authority and power, and he rules over them. He told Pilate this truth during his trial:

Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” (John 19:11)

Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. (Romans 13:1)

The federal and local governments have been entrusted with authority to maintain order and public safety. The most visible expressions of authority for people are taxes and traffic laws. Wherever we go, we are under the rule and authority of government. If we disobey, we are fined or detained. Laws basically exist to establish equality and justice, and violations bring consequences.

But not all laws are written; some are unwritten. Cutting in line may not be legally prohibited, but it is rude and inconsiderate. People say, “That’s unfair.” On what basis? The law written in the heart becomes the standard. For example, when everyone contributes equally but only a few are recognized for their effort, people naturally sense injustice.

Jesus Made Unseen Powers and Authorities

Besides these, there are also unseen powers and authorities. There is the devil, hiding in the darkness, causing fear and anxiety. He is the evil one who deceives with lies, tempts, and tries to make people fall in order to destroy them. We submit to all authorities, but we resist Satan, the devil, who holds the power of hell. For the devil does not submit to God’s authority but opposes it. The devil is the very expression of disobedience to God’s authority. Forgetting his place as a created being, he tries to take the place of God. Therefore, the struggle of believers is a battle against the devil who holds the power of darkness.

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).

Jesus resisted the devil and drove him out, casting out demons that tormented people. When Jesus and his disciples went to the region of the Gerasenes, a man possessed by demons lived among the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones, terrifying the whole town. He lived there day and night. People often tried to bind him with chains and irons, but he broke them apart and no one could subdue him (Mark 5:3-5). That man was completely destroyed under the power of the devil’s darkness.

“For Jesus had said to him, ‘Come out of this man, you impure spirit!’” (Mark 5:8). The man possessed by demons recognized Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and fell on his knees before him, crying out in a loud voice, “What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In God’s name don’t torture me!” (Mark 5:7). Before Jesus Christ, the Creator of heaven and earth, the demons submitted, left the man, and entered the herd of pigs, which rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned (Mark 5:13). Therefore, we resist the devil and he flees.

“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

Even today, the devil tries to devour us if he can. For example, he urges us not to yield our rights, but to fight to claim them. He stirs up hatred, envy, and jealousy, accusing us falsely and tempting us not to love our enemies but to hate them. But we resist hatred, envy, and jealousy. We follow Jesus Christ, who did not save himself but sacrificed his body as an atoning sacrifice. We endure shame, pain, loss, and humiliation. By faith, we die with Jesus, who died on the cross.

In Jesus Christ, All Things Hold Together

Jesus not only created all things, but he also rules and sustains them. “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:17). The earth’s axis is tilted at 23.5 degrees, which plays a crucial role in creating a climate suitable for life. The surface temperature of the sun is about 6,000 degrees Celsius. Our hearts beat 60–100 times per minute, day and night. The grains, vegetables, and fruits produced from the earth feed over 7 billion people every day without running short.

The three forces that sustain the universe are gravity, electromagnetism, and nuclear force. Without gravity, we could not stand. Electromagnetism powers all electronic devices, and nuclear force holds the atomic nucleus together, forming matter. The one who created and sustains all these powers is Jesus Christ. That is why we cannot live even for a single moment without the grace and love of Christ.

Above all, the glorious power and authority of the Lord Jesus Christ are revealed in his incarnation, when he offered himself as a sacrifice on the cross. As the Judge of all, Jesus rightfully should judge people trapped in sin and darkness. As the holy God, it would be justice to destroy this disobedient and rebellious world filled with evil.

However, instead of using his power and authority as Creator for judgment, Jesus used it to save the world. He took the condemnation of the world’s sins upon himself and became the sacrificial Lamb. Jesus’ death on the cross was not submission to Jewish or Roman power. The rulers of this world did not judge him. Jesus willingly gave up his life to the Father in order to save the world (John 10:17). He laid down his life to redeem the world from sin.

“No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father” (John 10:18).

Jesus offered his body once for all to save those who were bound under the law of sin and death (Hebrews 10:10). This was the will of God the Father. The Father’s will is that we are made holy through the blood of Christ, not by human effort (Hebrews 10:10). Because of this, we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place, to come before the throne of grace (Hebrews 10:19). From the throne of God’s grace flows the living water of eternal life, and we live forever. Amen!

July 7, 2025

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

 

Live A Life Worthy of the Lord and Please Him in Every Way (Colossians 1:9–12)

 

Live A Life Worthy of the Lord and Please Him in Every Way (Colossians 1:9–12)

Paul prayed for the believers in Colossae, asking that grace and peace from heaven be with them. Since the day they heard the gospel of Christ Jesus and truly understood God’s grace, it has been bearing fruit and growing among them and throughout the whole world. Because of the hope stored up for them in heaven, they were practicing faith and love.

Faith means trusting and depending on the unseen God and on His word of promise. Abraham held on to God’s promise, and in the land of Canaan, though it was foreign to him, he pitched his tent, built an altar, and lived there looking forward to the city God had prepared. Love means following the example of Jesus on the cross, denying oneself and laying down one’s life for others. Love is seen in yielding, giving up, and even suffering loss. The faith and love of the saints are because of the hope laid up in heaven. Jesus endured the cross, trusting in the Father’s love and grace of salvation for this world through His sacrifice.

In Colossians 1:9–12 Paul prays that through the Spirit’s wisdom and understanding, they may know God’s will so that they may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way.

“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.” (Colossians 1:9–12)

Paul had heard news of the Colossian church through Epaphras (1:3). From the moment he heard, he did not stop praying for them. Of course, this does not mean that Paul did nothing else but pray day and night. He still preached the gospel and wrote letters. But it shows that he continually entrusted their well-being to the heavenly Father in faith.

First and foremost, Paul prayed that they would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will through the wisdom and understanding the Spirit gives. The Spirit of wisdom and understanding is the Spirit of the Lord Himself. The prophet Isaiah foretold that the Spirit of the Lord would rest on the shoot that comes from the stump of Jesse, that is, on Christ:

“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.
The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
the Spirit of counsel and of might,
the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—” (Isaiah 11:1–2)

The Holy Spirit Promised

At the Last Supper, Jesus told His disciples that one of them would betray Him. He also said that He was going to prepare a place for them in the Father’s house (John 14:2). This pointed to His suffering on the cross, His death, His resurrection, and His ascension into heaven. But the disciples did not understand where He was going and were troubled (John 14:1). At that moment, Jesus promised them another Advocate who would be with them forever (John 14:16):

“The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:17–18)

Jesus, who came in the flesh, died on the cross and rose again on the third day. For forty days He remained on earth, then ascended into heaven on a cloud in the sight of His disciples (Acts 1:9). He is no longer physically present on earth, but God has sent the Spirit to be with us forever. Therefore, those who believe are never abandoned; God does not leave His children as orphans. Jesus in the flesh was bound by time and place, but the Spirit is always with us everywhere.

“Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” (John 14:19–20)

How do we discern God’s will? The Holy Spirit dwelling within us enlightens us. The Spirit is the Spirit of truth, who searches even the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10). Therefore, it is only through the Spirit that we can discern God’s will. All the knowledge of the world cannot bring a person to know God.

But there is also the deceiving spirit, the devil, who seeks to confuse believers about God’s will. For example, in times of suffering, the devil whispers, “Where is your God?” Yet the Spirit intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express (Romans 8:26). The Spirit assures us that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance character, and character hope (Romans 5:3–4).

So Paul prayed that through the wisdom and understanding of the Spirit, we would discern God’s will and live a life worthy of the Lord, pleasing Him in every way. To live in such a way and to please the Lord in all things is possible only by the power of the Spirit.

So then, what does it mean to live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way?

First, it is to bear fruit in every good work. To live in a manner worthy of the Lord is to obey according to the will of God. We follow as the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, makes us aware. For example, we put off the old self that disobeys and put on the new self that obeys. The old self lives according to the sinful nature, but the new self lives clothed with the power and authority of Christ. This is to follow the truth of the cross, which is self-denial. The old self hates and envies others, but the new self loves as Jesus loved us.

To walk worthy of the Lord is to please him in every way. Why should we please the Lord? Because God created us and is the Father of life and grace. God loved us so much that he did not spare his one and only Son. When someone loves us, we respond with thanksgiving. Likewise, we obey with a thankful heart toward God’s holy love. To love our neighbors as Jesus Christ loved us is to live in a manner worthy of the Lord, and this pleases him.

Everyone bears fruit. But not all bear good fruit. Hatred, murder, and stealing are bad fruit. Love, joy, peace, and patience are good fruit. To love our neighbor as ourselves in response to the love we have received from God is the good fruit that pleases the Lord. Bearing fruit is a process, and it is not done once and finished, but continues without end.

Second, it is to grow in the knowledge of God. When a baby is born, it is natural to grow. Yet a baby does not become an adult overnight but grows step by step through infancy, childhood, adolescence, youth, and adult. Spiritual growth is also gradual. Jesus taught Nicodemus the truth of being born again. We who were dead in Adam are born again in Christ.

However, at the moment of new birth we cannot know everything of God. As we respond to God’s love with thanksgiving and obedience, we continue to grow in the knowledge of God. God delights in obedience and blesses us to bear fruit. Fruit is like God’s seal of approval. But if there is no obedience, there is no fruit, and there is no growth in the knowledge of God. Judas Iscariot was such an example.

According To His Glorious Might

“11 being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, 12 and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light” (Colossians 1:11–12).

Third, it is to be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that we may have great endurance and patience with joy. God supplies all power according to his glorious might. By his supply, his children bear the fruit of patience. Paul prays that God will supply the power of his glory so that they may bear the fruit of endurance.

All power according to God’s glorious might refers to the glory and power of the resurrection—the authority and might of the Creator God. In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. In all creation, God’s invisible power and divine nature are displayed (Romans 1:20). A grave has no life, no breath, only death, emptiness, and weakness. Yet God raised Jesus Christ from the dead, something impossible for man. Amen!

In order to endure suffering and pain in this world with joy and to bear the fruit of patience, we must be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might. The fruit of endurance is the fruit of the Spirit. All the fruit of the Spirit comes from heaven; it is spiritual fruit. Therefore, it cannot be produced by human effort or resolve. Only by clothing ourselves with God’s resurrection power can we endure with joy and patience.

How then are we strengthened with all power according to his glorious might? God, as he promised, sent the Helper, the Holy Spirit, to those who believe. The Spirit comes once and never leaves (John 14:16). Jesus completely submitted to the Father who dwelt in him, obeying with joy and a willing heart even to the point of death. Jesus endured the cross by the power and authority of God’s glory given by the Father.

Therefore, as Christians, when we face persecution and accusations in this world, to look to the heavenly hope and to endure with patience is to be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might. The believers in Colossae also lived out their faith and love for all the saints because of the eternal hope stored in heaven, and this too was by being strengthened with all power according to God’s glorious might. Thus, they endured with joy and patience. From beginning to end, only by being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might do we hold firmly to the hope of heaven and practice faith and love.

Fourth, it is to give joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. Scripture says, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Even though we suffer pain and hardship in this world, there is an eternal heavenly inheritance in the light that no one can take away. For the believer, there is no more darkness. We are freed from the snare of death and the grave.

Jesus gave thanks because the Father heard his prayer (John 11:41). Jesus, believing that through his suffering the Father would give us saving grace, offered himself as a sacrificial offering with joy and thanksgiving.

The opposite of thanksgiving is grumbling and complaining. To be ungrateful is to have no hope in the eternal reward stored in heaven. Instead, one seeks to fill life with things of this world. But the things of this world perish, spoil, and fade. The more one seeks, the less satisfied one becomes, and thirst only increases.

The Samaritan woman was such a person. But she met the Lord Jesus Christ, who gives living water that never runs dry, and she received the hope of heaven in the light. This is God’s will revealed through spiritual wisdom and understanding. To our Lord Jesus Christ, who has given us eternal hope in heaven, we give thanks and praise forever. Amen!

2025. 8. 31.

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.