Anna Stodolak starts our week off with this wonderful devotional.
Above All by Michael W. Smith
Above all powers
Above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
Above all wisdom
And all the ways of man
You were here before the world began
Above all kingdoms
Above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure what You're worth
Crucified
Laid behind a stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all
Above all powers
Above all kings
Above all nature and all created things
Above all wisdom
And all the ways of man
You were here before the world began
Above all kingdoms
Above all thrones
Above all wonders the world has ever known
Above all wealth and treasures of the earth
There's no way to measure what You're worth
Crucified
Laid behind a stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all
Crucified
Laid behind a stone
You lived to die
Rejected and alone like a rose
Trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all
Like a rose trampled on the ground
You took the fall and thought of me
Above all
The song begins by lifting our eyes to who Jesus truly is, “above all powers, above all kings.” It’s a reminder that nothing in this world outranks Him. Every ruler, every authority, every force we fear or feel pressured by, all of it sits under His feet. Colossians 1:16-17 tells us He created these things, and He holds them together. He isn’t just part of the story, He is the author.
Then the song moves to creation itself , “above all nature and all created things.” Every mountain, every ocean, every star, every gust of wind is His handiwork. Psalm 19:1 says creation declares His glory, but the song reminds us that Jesus stands above even the beauty He made. He is not just the Maker, He is the Master.
It continues: “above all wisdom and all the ways of man.” We live in a world full of opinions, strategies, and human logic. But Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us His ways are higher, not just better, but beyond what we can imagine. When life feels confusing or chaotic, this lyric gently pulls us back to the truth. Jesus sees what we cannot, knows what we cannot, and understands what we cannot.
And then comes the shift, the part that always hits the heart.
The One who is above all things “was here before the world began,” yet He chose to step into the world He created. Philippians 2:6-8 says He didn’t cling to His divine privilege. He came low. He came close.
The song paints the picture of His suffering crucified, rejected, laid behind a stone. The One who sits highest of all chose to come all the way down. The One who deserved a royal throne chose a rough wooden cross instead. The One who commands angels let Himself be surrounded by people who wanted Him gone. The One who gave life to every human being allowed those same humans to take His life.
And then the lyric that feels like a whisper straight to the heart:
“Like a rose trampled on the ground, You took the fall and thought of me.”
It’s not a Bible verse, but it’s deeply biblical.
1 Peter 2:24 says He carried our sins.
Hebrews 12:2 says He endured the cross for the joy set before Him, that joy includes you.
Romans 5:8 says He died for us while we were still sinners.
The metaphor of the rose reminds us that His suffering wasn’t random. It wasn’t forced. It was chosen. And it was personal.
The One who is above all things thought of you.
Not just humanity in general - YOU.
Your story.
Your wounds.
Your fears.
Your future.
Your salvation.
This is the heart of the gospel wrapped in the heart of the song.
The One who reigns above all things loves you more than anything.
Make it a Marvelous Monday! God is good…