Devotion for 1 John 4:4

“Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”
                                                                                      1 John 4:4 (KJV)
 
     Have you ever heard it said, “We are the Smiths and the Smith family doesn’t give up” or something like that?  I have seen it in movies.  There is something empowering about knowing and appreciating your roots.  Maybe this is why the Bible is big on showing lineage, even though the names are so difficult to pronounce and the people lived long, long ago.  It is reassuring to know where you come from and know where you belong.
     The first four words of this verse are powerful; “Ye are of God.”  Yes, God thought you up, formed you, and created you, giving you life.  It wasn’t the tooth fairy or the Easter bunny, Santa Claus, or even your parents who gave you life.  It was God! God created you with all your unique qualities. 
     However, the deeper meaning in the verse comes later; “…because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”  We are not only of God, but also in the family of Christian believers.  We seek and listen to the Holy Spirit who lives within us. 
     This whole verse is meant as encouragement.  We are children of God!  Yay!  We don’t have stickers on us saying we were made in this country or that country.  God, himself, made us from heaven.  He made us uniquely with our special talents, features, body, spirit, skills, strengths, weaknesses, and outlooks on life.  We may or may not understand why we are made the way we are, but suffice it to say that it is all for God’s glory and he loves us.
     God knew there would be days when we would be frightened, worried, overwhelmed, discouraged, and depressed.  This verse is meant to reassure us that no matter what Satan is doing in the world, no matter what the antichrist is trying to tell you, no matter how many negative people around your or negative thoughts in your mind try to bring you down, the voice of the Holy Spirit within you is stronger than any voice you may hear in your mind or in the world around you.  So…. let’s all say, “Praise God!”