God's Power and Humility

Today in devotions with the year 8 kids, we looked at a number of different verses, exploring God's power, humility, mercy and grace. In Genesis 1 we read:

Genesis 1:1-5

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

God created the universe, and he did it simply by speaking. He is all powerful, he is worthy of all praise and he is the creator. The rest of Genesis 1 explains how God created the rest of creation. He spoke, it happened, and it was good. He is all powerful.

We then turned to Psalm 18:6-15, which details God's might and power. David called to God for help and he describes God as the almighty rescuer. He also mentions that God scatters his enemies. The verse displays God's power more vividly.

After this we turned to Luke 2:1-7

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) And everyone went to their own town to register.
So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

We know that Jesus is God. He created the universe. He is all powerful. Yet he was born as a human. Not only that, he was born as a poor human, in a stable because no one would make room for him to be born in the inn. He was rejected from birth, and he was rejected throughout his life. This wasn't by accident, it was prophesied many times in the Old Testament (See Isaiah 53). Jesus came to suffer and die in our place, so that everyone who puts their faith in him and repents of their sin will be saved. Jesus, who was there at creation, Jesus who is all powerful, all-knowing. Jesus who reigns over all fo creation hung dying, bleeding on a cross for our sakes. He did it willingly.

We then turned to Philippians 2:6-11

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: 

Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross! 

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.

Jesus humbled himself to save us, even though we don't deserve it one bit. He then rose again, and he is now in heaven interceding for us even though we still don't deserve it. He gave up his power and eternal glory, becoming a man so that he could save us and glorify God. He died in our place. He rose again and he reigns. He will return to judge. So the question is, do you know Jesus? Have you put your faith in him? If no, then you need to consider this because you are sinful and you (like me) deserve hell. Jesus offers forgiveness, but if you reject him then you will face Gods wrath.

If you are a Christian then look at v6 of Philippians 2. We need to act like Jesus. We need to be humble. Jesus is God, yet he humbled himself to die for us. We are humans, we need to be humble enough to help and love each other, and to serve and glorify God in all we do.

I hope that was helpful, challenging and encouraging.
Nat.