Read: 1 Timothy 6:11-19
. . . the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. (v. 15)
Words of Hope’s ministry leader in India gave his life to Christ while he was a veterinary student. Given that his father was a Buddhist missionary to India, his conversion was nearly as radical as the apostle Paul’s in Acts 9. Today he leads Words of Hope’s team for all of South Asia. He begins every prayer with “Almighty God . . .” He says, “Because we live in a world of many gods and mighty earthly powers, it is important to use superlative terms not only to assure ourselves but also to let the hearers know who we are talking to.”
Indeed, Buddhism names 12 deities and Hinduism more than 33 million! That may seem like a lot more than the pagan worship of Paul’s day or the North American culture many of us live in. But there are many false gods that vie for our worship, including the “riches” that too many “set their hopes on” (v. 17). In comparison, the Lord Jesus Christ is “the blessed and only Sovereign” (v. 15). He alone is worthy of our worship.
By the end of the New Testament, the title “King of kings and Lord of lords” would become part of the early church’s worship. Revelation 17:14 says, “The Lamb will conquer . . . for he is Lord of lords and King of kings.” When we give our lives to this “blessed and only Sovereign” (1 Tim. 6:15), we receive undeserved mercy, unmeasured grace, and will dwell forever with him in glory.
As you pray, offer your life to the King of kings and Lord of lords.
About the Author
Rev. Jon Opgenorth serves as president of Words of Hope. Previously, he served for 18 years as senior pastor at Trinity Reformed Church in Orange City, Iowa. In preparation for ministry, he received a BA in Religion from Northwestern College, and an MDiv from Fuller Theological Seminary.
