CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 762

“PERSPECTIVE”

1 CHR 29:11 (NLT)   Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things. Riches and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and it is at your discretion that people are made great and given strength.

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An article in the ScienceDaily (Mar. 4, 2009) dealt with power and the illusion of control.  A university study of international scope was done which showed that power can literally “go to one’s head,” causing people in a position of power to think that they have more control over outcomes than they actually do.  Throughout history and in to the present day, we see world leaders, CEO’s, elected officials, pastors, teachers, supervisors, and managers in power positions fall because of poor choices made as a result of their illusion of control and invincibility.

The antidote for the illusion of control is a proper biblical perspective.  This perspective is summarized by King David in our reference Scripture from First Chronicles.

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty… We adore you as the one who is over all things. Perspective begins with worship and acknowledgement that all honor and glory belongs to God.  If we receive accolades and recognition for our accomplishments we must guard against letting it go to our head.  We must always give God the glory and praise.

Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom… Riches and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything.  Perspective is shored up with the acknowledgement that we are His stewards.  We are servants in His kingdom.  We own nothing. Let me say it again: we own nothing.  As God entrusts us with greater stewardship responsibility over people, property, businesses, and the like, we must guard our hearts from becoming possessive over what is rightfully His.

 …if riches increase, set not your heart on them. – Psalm 62:10

Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper…and began to wash the disciples’ feet…- John 13:3

We must guard against the pridefulness of heart that says ‘I accomplished this!’  Greater power and responsibility equates to a call to greater and more humble service in God’s economy.

Power and might are in your hand, and it is at your discretion that people are made great and given strength. Perspective is underscored with the acknowledgement that it is God who placed us in a position of power and it is He who can remove us from it as He deems necessary.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – Phil 4:13

A proper perspective brings peace and joy.  A proper perspective allows rest and comfort in the ‘shadow of His wings’.  May you guard your heart against the illusion of control such that power does not ‘go to your head’.  May you obtain and nurture a proper biblical perspective as you seek first His kingdom and righteousness each day.  May you have a joyful servant’s heart as you serve God and serve others in His Name.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & dedication of your work to the glory of God.