Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

The Holy Spirit gave me the word reverence for this week leading up to Palm Sunday. I honestly had to sit in it for a few days.

Let’s start our reverence journey at the beginning.

Today’s scripture, Proverbs 9:10 (AMP) instructs…
[10] The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence], And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight.

Consider…
Today’s scripture makes think about the recognition of who God is, being essential to our proper engagement with Him.

This makes me think of how we respond to potentates like Kings, Heads of State, Popes, etc.

Cambridge dictionary defines a potentate as a ruler who has a lot of power, especially one whose power is not limited, for example, by the existence of a parliament.

This makes me think of Matthew 28:18 (NIV), where Jesus said…
[18]… “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”

Or John 10:17-18 (NIV), where He said…
[17] The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. [18] 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.”

It’s easy to forget that our friend, big brother, Savior, Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth! Notice, unlike Cambridge’s definition, Jesus has ALL, not a lot of, POWER!

Merriam-Webster defines the same potentate as, ruler, sovereign; broadly : one who wields great power or sway.

This makes me think of Colossians 1:15-17 (NLT), which explains…
[15] Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, [16] for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. [17] He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, is the Creator of everything!

John 1:1-4 (NLT) corroberates this fact. It says…
[1] In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He existed in the beginning with God. [3] God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. [4] The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.

We would do well to recognize Jesus is the Alpha and Omega. Everything began and will end with Him.

We would also do well to recognize Jesus is LORD, which means He’s YHWH that was often referred to in the old testament.

As a matter of fact, Jesus explained to the religious scholars in John 8:56-58 (NLT)…
[56] Your father Abraham rejoiced as he looked forward to my coming. He saw it and was glad.” [57] The people said, “You aren’t even fifty years old. How can you say you have seen Abraham?” [58] Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!”

The same I AM that led Moses to deliver His people out of slavery (Exodus 3:14), is the One who has set us from free the bondage of sin. (John 8:34-36)

I like the way the Apostle Paul explains our soul liberation in Romans 8:1-3 (NLT)…
[1] So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. [2] And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. [3] The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins.

Sin has no power, because Jesus Christ has all power! That understanding is foundational to our life in Christ!

In addition to us recognizing Jesus has all power, the Holy Spirit is telling me that we must, and will, recognize He is Lord!

Philippians 2:9-11 (NLT) explains…
[9] Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

I like Dr. Tony Evans commentary on verse 11…
All of life is to be the supreme recognition of the comprehensive Kingdom rule of Jesus Christ. This can now be done voluntarily, but one day all will do it mandatorily.

Reading that pressed play on J.J. Hairston and Youthful Praise singing…

Lord of all and ruler of nations,
You are God of all the earth.
Let all of Your people praise you
And sing of Your marvelous works.
Every knee shall bow before You,
And every tongue will confess
That You are Lord… of all.
Yes, You are Lord… of all.

With every breath that I breathe
I will praise You.
With every song that I sing
I will praise You.
You are my God and my King,
There’s no one greater.
For You are Lord… of all.
Yes, You are Lord… of all.

We worship You, all glory’s Yours
You are the Lord, the Lord of all.

As the song loops in my mind, the Holy Spirit emphasizes Romans 10:9-10 (NLT) stipulates…
[9] If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

Notice, it’s declaring Jesus is Lord (Ruler, Master, King) of our lives that saves us.

So you see, everything begins with reverent recognition of Jesus as Lord!

Today’s song is…
That’s My King

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)