Thurs., 1/23/14 Devotion (Gen. 24:3a)

Today's encouragement comes from Genesis 24:3a, where we read these words:

"And I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of the earth . . . "

I like this phrase: "The God of heaven and the God of the earth." Let us focus on the "earth" part for a moment. Are we ever tempted to think that God runs heaven; but that the devil, or maybe sinners them-selves own the earth? If we are inclined toward that error, we need to remedy that with the Bible's own teaching. The full truth is that God is the Supreme Governor of the earth, (as well as heaven).

The Lord put earth under the church's feet; and we are His vice-re-gents, to rule and tend it. But, in the exclusive sense, the Lord Himself is the "God of the earth." Let us be thankful for this; and commit our-selves to serving Him well down here.

[Puritan quote of the day: "Whoever is set up on earth, they are set up by our Lord. 'By Me,' says He, 'kings reign, and princes decree jus-tice.' " --John Bunyan, in "All Loves Excelling"]