El Elyon - God Most High

Designation of God as the sovereign ruler over ALL the universe. He is in control and nothing happens without His permission. When I asked you what sovereign means you said ruler of ALL there is nothing He is not over, in charge of or reigns over. I believe it was Linda who pointed out that the word “reign” is found in the word sovereign!!

So what is God exactly the Most High of …What does he rule over?

• Rulers/Positions of Authority as well as their mental well-being (Daniel 2:20-23; 4: 34-35 & John 19:10-11) Regardless if we do or do not agree with the current leadership (President, Congress, Governor, Mayor, etc) God allows that man/woman to be in that position for some purpose.
• His Plan (Isaiah 14: 24, 27 & Isaiah 46: 9-11)
• Past, Present & Future (Isaiah 46: 9-11)
• Wisdom, Power, Knowledge & Understanding (Daniel 2:20-23)
• His People and their fate; He also rules over the weather (Isaiah 5:5-7)
• Life, Death & Healing (Deuteronomy 32:39 & 1 Samuel 2:6-10)
• Pregnancy (1 Samuel 1:5-6)
• Heaven & Hell; Wealth & Poverty (1 Samuel 2:6-10)
• Light & Darkness, Well-being & Calamity (Isaiah 45:6-7)
• Satan - he must get God’s permission to do anything (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-10)

Is it God’s plan for bad things to happen to people? We serve a God of love and there are things that happen like the death of a child or a diagnosis of cancer that we do not understand and may never understand this side of heaven. Isaiah said it best, our ways are not God’s ways and our thoughts are not God’s thoughts. In Romans 8:28 we are told that “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose”.

1.  Sometimes that purpose is DISCIPLINE; we are God’s children and He “disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness” (Hebrews 11:10-11).
2. Sometimes that purpose is to DRAW us closer to Him; it is in trials that we develop perseverance and mature in our faith (James 1:1-4).
3. Sometimes that purpose is to DEMONSTRATE who He is to others around us. When we are faced with difficult times and others see how we act, God can be glorified and we are storing treasures in heaven. Let our focus be on eternal things not on what is temporary. (1 Peter 1:6-7)

Hangeth in there beloved!! I pray this morning as I post this message that when you are faced with trials and times of difficulty that you will run into the arms of El Elyon our God Most High who has created you for a purpose. He loves you and always has your best interest in mind. We are also to encourage one another and build each other up (1Thess. 5:11); if there is anyway I can do that for you, please let me know.

In His Love,
Ellen