"I bow down toward Your holy temple and give thanks to Your name for Your steadfast love and Your faithfulness, for You have exalted above all things Your name and Your word." - Psalm 138:2
Two things that God has exalted above all things: His name and His Word. Nothing else is as important, nothing else matters in comparison to these two things.
The Apostle Paul wrote that “at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heaven and in earth and under the earth, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11)
The supreme authority of the name of Christ means that His name is to be feared, His authority is to be obeyed no matter what any other authority demands. This has been the attitude of Christians all through History, and of the Jewish people before them. God’s people are often persecuted precisely for insisting on this point and refusing to bow to a lesser authority.
God’s Word is the ultimate Law, the ultimate arbiter of right and wrong, good and evil. If God’s Word says something is good, it’s good and right. If God’s Word says something is bad, it’s bad and wrong, no matter what people say.
No human authority, no government, no decision of courts, legislatures, rulers of this world, or theologians can change the truth of what God declares, and we all will answer to Him one day for our rebellious attempts to contradict Him.
The good news is that the Ultimate Authority is also our Savior, our loving Father, and the one who leads, guides and comforts us by His Word.
Jesus, You alone are Lord of heaven and earth; I will not fear what man may do to me. Give me insight from Your Word to see through the false reasoning and proud arguments of man. Keep my own heart clear and in faithful submission to You, in Your holy and precious name, Amen.
Pastor Dan Giles