Colossians 1:1-14; Psalm 89:9-18

Colossians 1:1-14
This letter is another of Paul's prison letters. We are told that Paul had never visited the church at Colosse, but he had heard that false teaching had crept into the church. The theme of the letter is the preeminence of Jesus Christ. I think it's safe to say that most (if not all) false teaching does not give Christ His rightful place. In this letter Paul stresses the deity of Christ and His sacrificial death on the cross. He reminds us that our salvation depends on what Christ has done, and our Christian life depends on Him as well.

Paul gives his greeting in vv. 1-2 and prays for God's grace and peace.

vv. 3-14 records Paul's thanksgiving and prayer for the people of the Colossian church. He commends them for their faith in Christ Jesus and their love for God's people. Paul emphasizes that their salvation has come because they believed the Gospel (Good News), and he tells them that people everywhere are being saved in the same way. Remember that Paul had heard that some false teaching had crept in, so he wanted to make sure they were trusting Christ alone.

In vv. 9-14 we find exactly how Paul was praying for the people of Colosse. These words could be a pattern for us if we're not sure how to pray for people or even for ourselves.

• Ask God for complete knowledge of His will.
• Ask for spiritual wisdom and understanding.
• Ask that the way you live will always honor and please the Lord.
• Ask that your life will produce every kind of good fruit.
• Ask that you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.
• Ask that you will be strengthened with God's glorious power.
• Ask for needed endurance and patience.
• Ask to be filled with joy.

This is quite a list of "asking," so we must not forget to thank the Father! "He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins."

Psalm 89:9-18
Remember that this psalm promises that the Lord Jesus will reign forever and ever. It honors and praises God and tells us of his attributes. Today we learn the following:

• God rules the oceans and subdues the storm-tossed seas. Surely he can take care of us!
• He scatters His enemies with His mighty arm.
• The heavens and earth are His. He created it all!
• He is powerful and strong beyond anything we can understand.
• He is full of righteousness and justice.
• We can count on His unfaithful love and truth.

People everywhere search for happiness and joy. v. 15 tells us that we can't find it outside of our relationship to God. "Happy are those who hear the joyful call to worship, for they will walk in the light of your presence, Lord. They rejoice all day long in your wonderful reputation. They exult in your righteousness."

Are you feeling weak? God is our glorious strength. It pleases Him to make us strong. Our protection ultimately comes from the Lord, and He has given us our King--the Lord Jesus.