Why is Jesus not sitting at the right hand of God?
26 Jun 26
Today's devotional: taken from YouVersion, Devotions on F.I.R.E. Year One
Readings:
Job 7
Job 8
Job 9
Acts 7:44-60
But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55).
Why is Jesus not sitting at the right hand of God?
Each year, the Old Testament High Priest on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) offered a temporary sacrifice for the people's sins, but it must be repeated annually. The High Priest never could sit down in the Tabernacle or Temple because the work of salvation was not completed. Conversely, forty days after Jesus was raised from the dead, He ascended to heaven and sat down, which signifies that the work of salvation is complete. This is why He is normally pictured as sitting at the right hand of God. Stephen becomes the church’s first martyr. Twice, Jesus is described as standing (Acts 7:55-56), and He does so to welcome him home.
Employment Point: Serve Jesus well, and anticipate a warm welcome home.
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Reflections
Our aim I guess is to run the good race and fight the good fight. Not for our own glory but to accomplish the tasks or answer the calling from our Lord and Father. Every one of us, with our unique gifts, are called to serve in a place where our spiritual gifts are put to good use. May the Lord help us to be made aware of our spiritual gifts and to point us to ministries where He would like us to be in. Not our will but Yours be done.
““What is mankind that you make so much of them, that you give them so much attention, that you examine them every morning and test them every moment? Will you never look away from me, or let me alone even for an instant?”
Job 7:17-19 NIV
- Job recognised the fact the each of us are known by God. Whatever we do, say or think and whatever that is in our hearts, He knew it all. He is asking or telling the Lord that he felt being tested all day long, everyday and he is tired. He wished for a breather..
- yet in all his lamentations he never talked bad about the Lord. He requested the Lord to look away and not be too bothered with him, a dying man.
- Of course we know why things like that happened to him and we don’t that of course he doesn’t deserve all these. But it is because of who he is, faithful to the Lord, that the Lord proposed to have him tested by Satan. We all know not all men can withstand such tests and yet Job did. This is something we can all learn. To look for the good in everything, even when we are down in the darkest valleys, we have the light and hope that never fades.
“Does God pervert justice? Does the Almighty pervert what is right? When your children sinned against him, he gave them over to the penalty of their sin. But if you will seek God earnestly and plead with the Almighty, if you are pure and upright, even now he will rouse himself on your behalf and restore you to your prosperous state.”
Job 8:3-6 NIV
- This is very us, on how we understand the Lord. That one is punished because of their sins and we know this is not true. These verses are a reminder to us not to be too quick to judge. We are not the Lord and will not know all things. Keep trusting the Lord regardless of what happens and understand He has His good reasons behind.
- Sometimes trials are also a training ground for us to be better, to be more Christ like in Him.
“Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so perishes the hope of the godless.”Job 8:13 NIV
- Bildad also seemed to be condemning Job. They all came and sat with him and yet the words that came out of their mouths seemed to just say that it is Job who has done wrong, who is responsible for all that has happened. I would be sad if this were me..
- may the Lord grant us wisdom and not to speak anything if it does not exalts anyone. May words of condemnation never be heard from the mouths of the children of God
“If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together, someone to remove God’s rod from me, so that his terror would frighten me no more. Then I would speak up without fear of him, but as it now stands with me, I cannot.”Job 9:33-35 NIV
- Job’s words are a reminder to us that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of our wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Even when he was being inflicted with so much pain, Job still knows his place. He understands that all these are not his control, decide or argue with. The Lord does as He deems fit. We can only submit to this authority.
- Like what he said, there’s no point in arguing with Him anyways. We should know better. So fear the Lord, for He is not like mere human beings. He is our creator. For that alone, does He not have the power to decide our journey?
““However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands. As the prophet says:”
Acts 7:48 NIV
- Our Lord is the Lord of all creations, of heaven and earth. He is omnipresent. So how can He be housed in a certain place only? And ever since He was resurrected, He has given to us the gift of the Holy Spirit which is in all of us. Therefore He is never confined to a single place and He knows all that is going on and whatever that is in every heart. There is nothing that can be hidden and nothing that is also big enough to house Him
““Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him,”
Acts 7:56-57 NIV
- the biggest irony maybe. Maybe they don’t see heavens open and they see nobody. So they thought that Stephen is talking blasphemy. Perhaps heavens only open the doors to those who truly know them? Members of the Sanhedrin may know the word but they may not truly carve it upon their hearts. Let us know the Word and learn to apply it in our own lives.
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Always Now
BY OSWALD CHAMBERS
June 26
As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. — 2 Corinthians 6:1
The grace you had yesterday won’t do for today. Grace is the overflowing, endlessly renewing favor of God; you can always count on there being enough.
Are you failing to draw upon God’s grace “in troubles, hardships and distresses” (2 Corinthians 6:4)? It is in difficulty that our patience is tested and in difficulty that we must learn to draw upon his grace. Each time you fail to do so, you are saying, “Oh well, this time doesn’t count.” It isn’t a question of praying and asking God to help you; it’s a question of accepting his grace, here and now.
We make prayer a kind of preparation. It is never that in the Bible. Prayer is the exercise of drawing on the grace of God. It is the most practical thing. Don’t say, “I’ll endure this difficulty until I can get away and pray.” Pray now. Call upon the grace of God in the moment of need.
“In beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger . . .” (v. 5). In every hardship, draw upon the grace of God in a way that makes you a marvel to yourself and others. Draw now, not soon. One of the most important words in the spiritual vocabulary is now. Let circumstances bring you wherever they will. No matter where you find yourself, no matter how difficult the situation, keep drawing on the grace of God. One of the greatest proofs that you are drawing on his grace is that you can be humiliated without showing the slightest trace of anything but his grace.
“. . . having nothing, and yet possessing everything”(v. 10). God has given you a priceless treasure in his grace. Never be diplomatic or careful about the treasure God gives. Pour out the best you have, and always be poor. This is poverty triumphant.
WISDOM FROM OSWALD
There is no condition of life in which we cannot abide in Jesus. We have to learn to abide in Him wherever we are placed.
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Reflections
Yes, the word is now. Not later or anything. In the verse “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”
Philippians 4:6 NIV
Does the Lord need our prayers? Not really. But we need to pray to God in order to build this intimate relationship. I was reminded to pray just yesterday evening.
If usually wear a Christian bangle with the inscription “Isaiah 40:31” as that was my birthday gift. I have been wearing that for few years as it is not just one of my favourite verse but it also reminds me that my strength lies in the Lord.
Went cycling with colleagues yesterday and I fell and hurt myself. On my journey back home, about 4 stations away, I suddenly felt a bit nauseous and weak. It was a terrible feeling. I was standing near the door and holding to the metal pole for dear life. People who know me probably remember I never like to hold anything but this time I was grabbing it with two hands. I felt my blood draining from my face down and have this feeling I’m going to faint soon.
2 more stations away, and my bangle suddenly just dropped to the floor. I didn’t dare bend down to retrieve it and thank God for a Good Samaritan who helped me pick it up. Strange thing cos the bangle requires some strength to pull it apart for it to come off and it has never dropped on me ever.
I walked out with whatever strength I have out from the next MRT station and started praying to the Lord for his grace and mercy and for His strength to renew me, at the same time sending prayer requests to my prayer partners. I had no strength but the Lord sustained me enough and brought me safely home. Truly thank God for his boundless grace.
Thank God I was wearing long pants and thus sustained more bruises than wounds. Thank God I did not faint in the MRT too. Thank God for His renewed strength and also reminder to seek Him in prayers.
Indeed our God is a good good Father. His arms are never too short. We just need to put all our trust in Him. No more needs to strive for achievement or power but to just lean on His grace, for His grace is always enough.
Let’s pray:
Father Lord, thank You that we can cast all our cares and worries to You for You care about us and love us even more than we love ourselves. Help us Father Lord to remember that Your mercies are new every morning and thus we need not be afraid that we will use up these grace. Thank You Father for holding us close to Your heart that we can even sense Your heartbeat. Help us not to take anything for granted and to continue to give God’s grace to others. In Jesus’s most powerful name we pray. Amen 🙏🏻
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