Superiority

Scriptures: Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him. For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm. (Psalm 33:8-9)

I heard a story by Pastor Dudley Rutherford about 3 kids boasting of their fathers’ athletic ability. The first one said, “My dad runs so fast that, after he shot an arrow, he could run ahead and catch the flying arrow.” The second one said, “My dad runs so fast that, after he pulled the trigger, he could run ahead and move the target so that, every time he shot, the bullets would hit the bull’s eye.” The third one said, “My dad works in the city government. But he runs so fast that he gets out of work at 4 O’clock, and he gets home at 3:30.”

I don’t know if these kids simply all adored their fathers, or they simply want to feel superior to other kids by exaggerating their fathers’ athletic ability. A funny joke, but said a lot of human nature. We may not do the exactly what they did. But we may feel superior to others and express in different ways.

Being in the Information Technology business for so long, I have come to know a lot of so-called “IT Professional” who, having put in lots of hours and efforts into the system they built and supported, felt that there’s simply no other system like it and that their solution is the only solution.

Such sense of superiority is often expressed at the expense of the respect for others. To some extent, I think people feel the need to express superiority because they do not feel respected. They feel like, if they don’t show how good they are, no one would really notice them and their worth. Then, of course, these expressions of superiority were often results of pride, too.

In either case, I think the problem is actually a symptom of not knowing God and, therefore, not knowing who we really are. Bible says, “For He spoke, and it came to be; He commanded, and it stood firm.” (Psalm 33:9) This universe and everything in it came to be because of His words. Everything was put in place exactly as He prescribed.

More than that, He is above time, too. Prophet Isaiah told us that the Lord said, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, my purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” (Isaiah 46:10) Time and space are both in His control and He knows all things in both dimensions. This is our God, our Lord, our Creator, and the Sustainer of all things through eternity. What a privilege to know Him and have Him as our heavenly Father!

I suppose, having a father like Him, we can boast like those kids, too. But, for me, this true knowledge of Him humbles me. Who am I to be blessed with such a wonderful relationship with Him? Who am I to be given such an honorable title as His child? Who am I to be privileged to serve Him and His loved ones? Who am I that He should be mindful of? How wonderful the grace we have received in Jesus!

Our days may still turn gray and stormy sometimes. Our lives may still turn unexpectedly. Our friends may still leave or hurt us. But, it’s OK! For we may lose anything and everything in this world, but, even then, we still have Him, our Lord God, our heavenly Father who will see to it that His purpose will stand, including the ones He has for us!

Prayer Requests:
For those who feel inferior in any way

Prayer:
Aba Father, thank You for the gifts of salvation that made us Your children. Help us to remember who we are in You. Help us to live a life worthy of this sonship, giving testimony to this honorable everlasting family we belong to. In the name of our Lord Jesus we pray, Amen!