WISDOM FOR LIVING DAILY DEVOTIONAL
AUGUST 23, 2022
TOPIC: LET ANY OFFICE YOU OCCUPY BE THE THRONE OF GOD
BY T. O. BANSO
âThen Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed himâ (1 Chronicles 29:23 New King James Version).
From the Bible, we learn that heaven is the throne of God and His throne is everlasting. God dwells in heaven and sits on His throne; the earth is his footstool (Isaiah 66:1).
According to Lamentation 5:19, the LORD remains forever and His throne is from generation to generation. In Hebrews 1:8, the Bible says, âYour throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdomâ (New King James Version).
The writer of Psalm 11, David, says, âThe LORD is in His holy temple, The LORD’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of menâ (verse 4 New King James Version).
While preparing to build a Temple for the LORD, Solomon said, âBut who is able to build Him a temple, since heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him? Who am I then, that I should build Him a temple, except to burn sacrifice before Him?â (2 Chronicles 2:6 New King James Version).
At the dedication of the Temple, Solomon said, among other things, âBut will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this temple which I have built!â (1 Kings 8:27 New King James Version).
In Acts 7, Stephen might have referred to what Solomon said in 1 Kings 8:27 and he quoted the Prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 66:1-2, which I cited earlier. Stephen said, âHowever, the Most High does not dwell in temples made with hands, as the prophet says: âHeaven is My throne, and earth is My footstool. What house will you build for Me? says the LORD, Or what is the place of My rest? Has My hand not made all these things?ââ (Acts 7:48-50 New King James Version).
Because heaven is the dwelling place of God where His throne is, the Bible, in Matthew 5:33-37, forbids swearing an oath by, among other things, heaven, the throne of God.
However, beyond all this, God wants to be enthroned in the heart of each of His creatures whom He created in His image. It is either God sits on the throne in your heart or Satan does. Whoever sits on the throne in your heart controls you. Romans 6:12 says you should not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. Let God reign in you as you obey Him. âOr do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?â(1 Corinthians 6:19 New King James Version).
Furthermore, as a child of God, you should consider any legitimate and godly office or position you occupy the throne of God. Once the office is not evil, it should become the throne of God. Let God reign through you in that office. Let Godâs will be done as you exercise the power of your office. Use the office for the glory of God and the good of humanity.
As said in James 1:17, âEvery good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turningâ (New King James Version). Whether the office you occupy is political, business, educational, or whatever, you should regard it as the throne of God and use it with humility and in the fear and service of God. Ultimately, everybody (and not only pastors or preachers) is a servant of God. Romans 13:4 says the governing authorities are God’s ministers to people for good.
Concerning Solomon, the Bible says, âThen Solomon sat on the throne of his father David; and his kingdom was firmly establishedâ (1 Kings 2:12 New King James Version). It is true it was the throne of David that he ascended, but it is also truer that it was the throne of the LORD.
See what 1 Chronicles 29:23 says: âThen Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father, and prospered; and all Israel obeyed himâ (New King James Version). Take note of that phrase: Solomon sat on the throne of the LORD as king instead of David his father. Was there another throne called the throne of the LORD? Â No. It was the same throne of his father, David, which we read earlier in 1 Kings 2:12. In other words, the throne of David was also the throne of the LORD.
Consider the seat you currently occupy the throne of the Lord. That business is your business, but itâs first the Lordâs. Let it be the throne of the Lord where He reigns.
It took Nebuchadnezzar seven seasons in the forest, turning into an animal and living with animals, before he could acknowledge that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses (Daniel 5:21).
Romans 13:1 says there is no authority apart from God and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. If you acknowledge this, see any office you occupy as Godâs throne and allow God to rule through you. If you do, God wonât have to prove to you that He put you there as He proved to Nebuchadnezzar. Be a faithful servant of the Lord.
Regard every office you occupy as Godâs throne; donât play god. Donât let God show you His power! Thatâs why I like Cyrus. Unlike Nebuchadnezzar, who appropriated to himself his military conquest and the world power he held, Cyrus acknowledged that all the kingdoms of the earth were given to him by Jehovah, the God of heaven (Ezra 1:2).
Do you see that office â that privileged position â as Godâs throne? Let God rule through you. Some people use their position only to corruptly enrich themselves or engage in mere self-aggrandizement. Donât do that. Donât use your office to oppress or exploit others. Represent God well. Hear what David said: âThe God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: âHe who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of Godââ (2 Samuel 23:3 New King James Version).
Let your classroom, business centre, supermarket, workshop, factory, salon, ministry, or anywhere you work become the throne of God. As a pastor, teacher, student, politician, engineer, doctor, police officer, soldier, business person, industrialist, civil servant, banker, journalist, or whatever, let God reign through you by obeying Him. Let justice run down like water, and righteousness like a mighty stream (Amos 5:24).
TAKE ACTION!
If you are not born again, you need to give your life to Jesus now. I urge you to take the following steps: *Admit that you are a sinner and you cannot save yourself and repent of your sins. *Confess Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. *Renounce your past way of life â your relationship with the devil and his works. *Invite Jesus into your life. *As a mark of seriousness to mature in the faith, start attending a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church. There they will teach you how to grow in the Kingdom of God.
Kindly say this prayer now: O Lord God, I come unto You today. I know I am a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to save me and God raised Him on the third day. I repent of my sins and confess Jesus as my Lord and Saviour. I surrender my life to Jesus now and invite Him into my heart. By this prayer, I know I am saved. Thank You, Jesus, for saving me and making me a child of God.
I believe you have said this prayer from your heart. Congratulations! You will need to join a Bible-believing and Bible-teaching church in your area where they will teach you how to live your new life in Christ Jesus. I pray that you flourish like a palm tree and grow like a cedar of Lebanon. May you grow into Christ in all things and become all God wants you to be. I will be glad to hear from you. The Lord be with you.
PRAYER POINTS: Father, I surrender myself and my office or position to you. Reign through me and cause Your will to be done. I will use my position for your glory and the good of humanity. I pray that those who are using their power arbitrarily will repent and know that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.
(For over 800 in-depth and powerful messages by T. O. Banso, visit www.cedarministry.org).
T. O. Banso is the President of Cedar Ministry International, Abuja, Nigeria.
Phone No: +2348155744752, +2348033113523
WhatsApp No: +2349081295947
Email: cedarministryintl@yahoo.com,
cedarministryng@gmail.com
Website: www.cedarministry.org
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