Encouragement for Your Week: Sept. 27-Oct. 3
This Week’s Verse
"For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen."
— Romans 11:36 (ESV)
Devotion
If you had to distill the entire biblical worldview into one central truth, it would be this: God is the Creator who spoke all things into existence, the Sustainer who keeps reality going, and the ultimate Purpose behind everything that happens. In Romans 11:36, Paul captures this vast reality in a simple declaration of praise, giving us a clear picture of how God operates and how we should respond to Him.
"From Him" — God is the Origin of Creation: Everything in existence began through God’s command. He called the cosmos into being out of nothing. Although the grandeur of the physical world reflects His power and intelligence, God remains separate from what He created. He is the independent source of all life, not a component of the natural world itself.
"Through Him" — God Continually Sustains Reality: God did not simply create the world and step back to let it run on its own. Every moment of our lives depends on His ongoing involvement. He actively guides, governs, and maintains the universe. Without His constant providential care, everything around us would crumble into nothingness.
"To Him" — God Defines Our Ultimate Purpose: History is not a series of random, aimless events. It is moving toward a specific, divine goal. Every part of creation will ultimately point back to God and honor His overarching plan. While we make real decisions every day, our ultimate destination remains anchored in His design.
Understanding that our lives start with God, continue through His power, and head toward His goals changes our daily perspective. Pride loses its grip, replaced by genuine humility and gratitude. Knowing that the God who balances the universe also manages your daily life allows you to lay down the exhausting stress of trying to control everything yourself. He alone is worthy of our trust, honor, and praise.
Where in your life are you currently carrying the stress of trying to control the outcome, and how can remembering God as your active sustainer help you let go of that burden today?