21 Nov December 15th Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE  CHURCH AT PHILIPPI

CHRIST’S EXULTATION

Philippians 2:9-11 “Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Following His crucifixion, with the resurrection of Jesus on the third day, Romans 1:4 says “He was declared to be the Son of God in power. . .”  God the Father, through this one act, announced to the world He accepted Christ’s sacrifice for the reconciliation of the world and all believers in Christ will rise to eternal life. (Small Catechism, question 145)

When God the Father exalted Jesus and “bestowed on Him the name that is above every name. . .and declared Him Lord” (Philippians 2:9-11) Jesus as true man was then and is now fully and now always uses His divine powers. (Small Catechism, question 141)

Every time you confess the words of the Apostle’s Creed, “He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. . .” you are confessing that you believe the words of Philippians 2:9-11.  Your Savior Jesus as both God and man sits at the right hand of God and rules with divine power over heaven and earth.  He is Lord of lords and King of kings.

Luther writes in discussing the Second Article of the Apostle’s Creed, “. . .So those tyrants and jailers (the devil and his allies) are all expelled now.  In their place has come Jesus Christ, Lord of life, righteousness, every blessing, and salvation.  He has delivered us poor, lost people from hell’s jaws, has won us, has made us free, and has brought us again into the Father’s favor and grace.  He has taken us as His own property under His shelter and protection so that He may govern us by His righteousness, wisdom, power, life, and blessedness.”  (Large Catechism, pp. 362-363)

By exalting His Son Jesus, God  declared that you, through faith in Jesus, are victorious over Satan, the world and sin of all kinds.  Nothing can separate you from the love of God in Christ Jesus.  Your victory over death and the grave is secure.  The culmination of your eternal life is waiting for you.

Prayer:  I bow before You, exalted Lord as you sit at the right hand of Your Father.  Amen.

He Is Exalted,
The King Is Exalted On High!
I Will Praise Him

He Is Exalted,
Forever Exalted And I Will
Praise His Name!

He Is The Lord!
Forever His Truth
Shall Reign

Heaven And Earth
Rejoice In His Holy Name!

He Is Exalted,
The King Is Exalted On High!

He Is Exalted,
The King Is Exalted On High!
I Will Praise Him

He Is Exalted,
Forever Exalted And I Will
Praise His Name!

He Is The Lord!
Forever His Truth
Shall Reign

Heaven And Earth
Rejoice In His Holy Name!

He Is Exalted,
The King Is Exalted On High!

He Is The Lord!
Forever His Truth
Shall Reign

Heaven And Earth
Rejoice In His Holy Name!

He Is Exalted,
The King Is Exalted On High!

He Is Exalted,
The King Is Exalted On High!

(He Is Exalted written by Twila Paris, 1985.  Printed words used with permission under CCLI #1600874)