THINGS THAT ARE ABOVE -- Tomorrow:
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory" (Col 3:1-4)
Devotion 7 of 25
" . . . on the right hand of God."
The "right hand of God" has great significance. Through Moses and the Prophets, the Lord taught us how to think of His "right hand." It is a phrase that denotes His Sovereignty, His activity, and His will. Moses said, "from HIS RIGHT HAND went a fiery law for them" (Deut 33:2). The Psalmist referred to the "saving strength" of God's "RIGHT HAND" (Psa 20:6). He also referred to the promised land as "this mountain, which HIS RIGHT HAND had purchased" (Psa 78:54). When referring to the triumph of the Lord, the Psalmist affirmed, "HIS RIGHT HAND, and His holy arm, hath gotten Him the victory" (Psa 98:1). When speaking of Divine intervention in the affairs of men, Isaiah said, "The LORD hath sworn BY HIS RIGHT HAND, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast labored" (Isa 62:8). When the Lord slew His enemies, He is said to have done it with His "RIGHT HAND" (Lam 2:3-4).
This is the place from which the world is governed, saints are sustained, and enemies are subdued – the right hand of God. It is also where Jesus has been exalted – the place from which He is now governing all things. This is frequently declared.
1. FROM THAT POSITION HE SENT FORTH THE SPIRIT ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST. "Therefore being exalted TO THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but He says Himself: 'The LORD said to my Lord, 'Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool'" (Acts 2:33-35).
2. REPENTANCE AND FORGIVENESS COME FROM THIS POSITION. "Him hath God exalted WITH HIS RIGHT HAND to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins" (Acts 5:31).
3. IT RELATES TO SALVATION AND FREEDOM FROM CONDEMNATION. "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even AT THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD, who also maketh intercession for us" (Rom 8:34).
4. IT IS FAR ABOVE EVERY OTHER FORM OF POWER. "Which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and SET HIM AT HIS OWN RIGHT HAND in the heavenly places, far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: and hath put all things under His feet, and gave him to be the \Head over all things to the church" (Eph 1:21-22).
5. JESUS' ENTHRONEMENT FOLLOWED THE PURGING OF OUR SINS. "Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down ON THE RIGHT HAND of the Majesty on high" (Heb 1:3).
6. IT IS RELATED TO HIS HIGH PRIESTHOOD. "Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an High Priest, who is set ON THE RIGHT HAND of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens; a Minister of the sanctuary, and of the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man" (Heb 8:1-2).
7. IT IS RELATED TO THE SUBDUING OF HIS ENEMIES. "But this Man, after He had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD; from henceforth expecting till His enemies be made His footstool" (Heb 10:12-13).
8. IT IS RELATED TO FINISHING OUR FAITH. "Looking unto Jesus the Author and Finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE THRONE OF GOD" (Heb 12:2).
9. IT IS RELATED TO ALL OTHER POWERS BEING SUBJECT TO HIM. "Who is gone into heaven, and is ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him" (1 Pet 3:22).
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for an enthroned and ruling Savior, who is fully able to bring all of the sons home to glory.