“The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice” - Psalm 97: 1-2 (NIV)
Our verse today may seem to be stretched for someone going through the valley. But yet it is for that very fact that the Lord reigns. For if the Lord ceases to reign, then who is! The Lord reigns not just in good circumstances, but in all situations. The faith of believers is not hinged on good moments, alone, but even in the midst of hopelessness, we look up to the Almighty to make sense out of meaninglessness.
In Psalm 23:4, King David wrote, “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” What King David is saying is that even in the midst of the darkest of the depths, the Lord never deserts us. He is there. This is why Psalm 91:1-2, says, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
In the old kingdoms whenever a king would die, with the throne, now vacant, there would be terror and a feeling of emptiness throughout the nation. The kingdom was now paralyzed for there was no one reigning on the throne. In fact, a certain succession battle would quickly follow to fill the vacuum. Calmness only returned after a new King was seated on the throne.
But that is not the way with believers. The throne of the Almighty is never empty. God is always seated on His throne. He never deserts.The Lord reigns in good and bad circumstances.
And because He reigns, there is hope.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, because you reign in all circumstances, I know there is hope, and I can rejoice, for you are with me, no matter the situation!
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03/05/2024 - 04/05/2024 All day“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10)
Every now and then one could be gripped with fear because of certain events sweeping before one’s life journey. It could be the finances that are stretched and incomes are no longer certain. Perhaps it is one’s job under threat. Perhaps it is a dreaded health report card. There could be fear about outcome of a matter under judgment and what it might mean to one’s future.
Fear has been elsewhere described as “an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.” Every life will experience fear at one point. Whenever we are faced with fear it is natural to look for something to grasp on. Sometimes we run for shelter wherever we can find. Perhaps we might seek out a friend for quiet confidence.
But there are those situations when there is no shelter in sight. There are also those cases where those we thought would understand our situation once we share our pain return only hurting and critical feedback. In such moments we might then turn and look within ourselves only to find the energy has all been sapped by this gnawing fear. We feel down and the urge to rise and move on all gone!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand" (Isaiah 41:10) the word of God through prophet Isaiah assures us. But why? It is because the Lord has been there. He himself was faced with fear before his crucifixion but He looked to God.
Charles Spurgeon once wrote when faced with fear always remember, “Nothing is too hard for Him. He can find a way where there is no way. He can give us the idea that will make all the difference.” Psalm 91:2, says, “I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” So, when faced with fear, look to God to strengthen you. By looking to Him, the Lord will encourage and lift up your spirit, and make a way out of nowhere!
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I surrender to you any fear that is in me for I know by looking up to you, you will always make a way out of nowhere, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
