“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!
Related upcoming events
-
20/04/2024 - 21/04/2024 All day“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong” (1 Cor 16:13)
Tourists who happen to visit Bukingham palace will be expected to notice the King’s royal guards. Dressed in colorful often red uniforms and adorning tall black helmets they stand on guard and no one dare cross them. Elsewhere in life we find guards in all manner of places quite firm on deterring any intruder wherever they may be.
For us Believers being on constant guard is a calling we must permanently observe. And why? Once in the course of his work, “Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (Mathew 16:23). Peter had just protested that he would not deny Jesus only to be sported out!
There is something for us to note here. Satan had penetrated the ranks of Jesus and was going through his closest disciple. It is clear that Peter was not even aware that he was being used. Anyway, he found his target, Jesus, was on guard. Immediately Satan was sent packing.
No Believer is immune to attacks from Satan. After all when once the Lord asked Satan his whereabouts: “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the LORD, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it” (Job 1:7). Clearly the guy is out there 24/7 looking for whom to devour. “Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8).
Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, as you have warned us to be on “guard” help me ever to be on the watch out for the attacks of the enemy and with your word rebuke Satan, this I pray in Jesus’ name!
