Scripture for Today: Revelation 1:8 “‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.'”

One of these wolf dogs is clearly showing traits of being the “alpha dog.”  Other members of a pack, called, “beta dogs,” will show submission to him.  The alpha will be the dominant dog, the first and most important member.  In a domesticated dog, these alpha traits may appear as refusals to follow the owner’s commands.  He may exhibit alpha behavior on a walk by forcing his owner to follow his pace!

Today’s verse calls the Lord God, the Almighty, the “Alpha ” and the “Omega.”  These two designations would be familiar to the readers as the first and last letter of their Greek alphabet.  “In the beginning, God…”  He is the beginning of everything and no one precedes Him.  He is the end and will bring human history to a close.  No one comes after Him.  He is the first and most important with no limits to His power and knowledge.  All of history, all of the present and all of the future is directed and controlled by Him.

Knowing this gives me the correct view of myself.  I am to be a “beta,” submissive to Him and willing to follow.  He directs and He sets the pace.  I do not obligate God but He commands me.  When I try to lead I get myself in all kinds of trouble.  Just as Jesus called others to, “Follow Me,” so He continues to ask this in my life.  As the Alpha, He sees what is ahead.  And as the Omega He sees from the beginning to the absolute end.  I can trust Him for what is happening in the now.

Lord, keep me faithfully following You.