Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; And let them say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.” 1 Chronicles 16:31 (NKJ)
The Lord reigns? To some this may be a question spoken in general disbelief. As one looks around this world and our nation, there is question as to the reality of God and God’s involvement in the activities of mankind. Does God really care about me? Does God see me in “my” situation—in my humanness?
- We look around and see the effects of sin on our world. Even in the midst of “peril, sword, and nakedness”, God extends to mankind love, mercy, and grace. In gratitude for God’s reign, David cried out: “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (1 Chron. 1:34)
- Outside God’s reign, man struggles with and against “life”; his intent is to control the challenges of 21st century living. Doing what feels “right in their own eyes” (Prov. 21:2), men often disregard the plans of God and God’s purpose for this world.
- “God reigns” whether people choose to believe it or not. Their unbelief does not reduce or minimize the reality of God’s reign. God is patient and long suffering not wishing that anyone would perish but that all will come to the knowledge and recognition of His lordship (1 Tim. 2:4).
The Lord reigns! This is the reality and declaration of people of faith who anchor their lives to the “King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God” (1 Tim. 1:17). God is the only One worthy of our loyalty and praise.
- As we witness the impact of economic disparity, social injustice, and moral failure in the world, our expectation of fairness is founded in the fact that God reigns!
- As the doctor renders a diagnosis that leads to extensive treatments yet no guarantee of success, our hope for healing lies in the belief that God reigns!
- As we face our own mortality evidenced in the frailty of our bodies and failure of our souls, our eternal security is guaranteed in Christ, our inheritance because God reigns!
People of faith trust that even in the suffering and pain, God is working all things together for His glory and ultimately our good (Rom. 8:28). We know that our God is eternal—reigning both in “human time” (chronos) and “His perfect time” (kiros). We wait and watch for His hand at work around us and in our life (Psa. 123:1-2).
The Lord reigns. To you I offer this as a statement of reality and personal identity. The reality is that God alone is sovereign. It is because of His goodness and greatness that He alone is worthy to rule over the hearts of men and nations. Our personal identity in Christ guarantees our reign with Him in glory (Rom. 8:17).
- God alone is motivated by love—in first loving us (1 John 4:9-10) God offers grace and mercy to all who humbly come to Him by faith with no fear of retribution or risk of punishment.
- God’s perfection, purity and trustworthiness enable Him to rule impartially and fairly. God alone can be both “just” and the justifier” for sinful man (Rom. 3:24-26).
- God is the only real answer for the “heart issues” we face in 21st century living. The Lord’s reign over heaven and earth gives us hope in the midst of a “fallen” (Gen. 3) and “falling” world (1 John 2:16-17).
The Lord’s reign is fully realized in the coming of Jesus the Christ. In Jesus’ arrival the kingdom of God is ushered into this world we now live in. It is here that those who are in Christ are to take authority and witness to this glorious fact—God reigns!