The Lord Reigns

“The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.” (Psalms 97:1)

This is the ultimate Truth. And it’s the Truth we must keep before us at all times, in good times and in difficult times. It’s the Truth that humbles the mighty and gives hope to the humble. This Truth sets the hearts of man aright.

We are so concerned about the government and the state of the nations in the world. There is worldwide poverty and need all over the world. We are overwhelmed with the violence, hatred and despair of peoples in different nations. There is a rise of the bad. We can easily fall into depression just thinking of the corruption of the nations’ leaders. But the LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice. The LORD sees and knows all things. He will bring order and righteousness because He does reign. He has all things in control for His appointed time of judgement.

We remember King Nebuchadnezzar who exalted himself for the things God had done. And the LORD humbled him until he realized that it was God who reigned. He walked the earth like a beast. “The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty? While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will. The same hour was the thing fulfilled upon Nebuchadnezzar: and he was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till his hairs were grown like eagles' feathers, and his nails like birds' claws.” (Daniel 4:30-33) It took Nebuchadnezzar seven years to come to his senses. “And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured Him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation:” (Daniel 4:34)

God sees all things and knows all things. He will judge the nations that have come against Israel. “I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. (Joel 3:2) And He will judge the leaders of nations. “He shall judge among the heathen, He shall fill the places with the dead bodies; He shall wound the heads over many countries. (Psalms 110:6) Isaiah also prophesies, “Come near, ye nations, to hear; and hearken, ye people: let the earth hear, and all that is therein; the world, and all things that come forth of it. For the indignation of the LORD is upon all nations, and His fury upon all their armies: He hath utterly destroyed them, He hath delivered them to the slaughter.” (Isaiah 34:1-2) We can declare, the LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice knowing He will make things right.

When things are going well with us and it seems that blessings abound for us, declare, the Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice. Our good fortune is not luck by any means. It’s not based on what we do or not do. It’s God mercy and love for us. It’s God’s grace in our lives.

And when things are not going well for us, declare the Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice. God is still on the throne. The Lord that blessed still reigns and watches over us. His Promises are still true. Listen to what Paul wrote to the Corinthians. “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” (1Corinthians 16:13) Be alert to the enemies’ darts, persevere and act like mature wise men, not children who don’t understand things. Paul advised them because that’s what happens when things are not going well. We act as if we don’t remember that the Lord reigns. And we forget to rejoice that He is on the throne.