God Reigns

Last night, as I was lying down to listen to the NBA finals game, an incredible thing happened. My joints had been very stiff all day but some time during the evening, the stiffness had gone. For the first time in nearly five weeks, I could walk normal and pain free even up stairs. Logically, when I would wake up in the morning, one would think that my condition is gone. First thing as I stood up in the morning, the stiffness and pain had returned. Surprisingly, I am fine with what happened. I am more confident now than I was a day ago that God can take away my joint condition, whatever it might be.   

Wiersbe (1987) opens this chapter up with the words from Revelations 19:6: "Hallelujah: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth"! He follows this by stating the obvious realities that seem to contradict God's sovereignty. There is violence and injustice worldwide. Yet, the circumstances in which the Apostle John wrote Revelations were not ideal either.. He was not comfortably sitting in an air conditioned office on a university campus in a suburban campus. No, he was a prisoner of Rome, exiled to the Isle of Patmos. He knew of difficulties and injustice. Yet, John still believed in God's sovereignty. He refused to renounce his faith and was exiled for his faith and his faith remained strong. I like what Wiersbe says:

"God is reigning today. He has not abdicated his throne and turned the universe over to the enemy. It is true that much that goes on in this world is contrary to His will; but where He does not rule, He overrules, and His purposes are going to be fulfilled. After all, He is the Lord-- the Lord God omnipotent, all powerful.

We can entrust our lives and our loved ones into the hands of this kind of God. When you find yourself discouraged or worried or afraid, just remember that "the Lord God omnipotent reigneth." This is the secret of peace and joy in the midst of a troubled world." (p. 17)

The secret of peace and joy in a troubled world is to know that God is still in control. My favorite part about this quote is when it says where God does not rule, He overrules. You might say, this sounds like heresy. "Where God does not rule? Doesn't God rule everywhere? I think the answer is yes and no. Did God rule in Joseph's false imprisonment? Did God rule when Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery? This is where we get into God's permissive will as opposed to His perfect will. Bad things happen, but God's ultimate purpose is fulfilled in the end.

   

Wiersbe goes on to talk about Isaiah and when the Godly King Uzziah died. "In the year that King Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple." That is a great picture of the spiritual and physical realities in contrast. Here, one of the Godly Kings die and the nation is in uncertainty. Yet, Isaiah sees God on His throne. When our world is falling apart, God is still on His throne.

Next is the story of Paul in Acts 18. As we know from the letters to Corinth, it is an extremely liberal city. Paul met much opposition there. Yet, in the midst of his struggles, Jesus said to him: "Be not afraid .... for I am with thee .... for I have much people in this city." That has to be one of God's most encouraging words to us and so often stated. Don't be afraid. Then, He follows it with answering our fears. He is at work, right where we are at. "I have much people in this city". Paul must have thought that there were no Christians in Corinth and probably felt very discouraged. Jesus answered his doubts and Paul would plant a church in Corinth. Paul realized God is still on His throne.

"And that's what you and I are going to have to discover if we are going to make it in this difficult world. We can't depend upon our own rule, because we are weak and ignorant. And we can't depend too much on the rule of others, because they are as weak and ignorant as we are. The only thing we can depend on is the rule and reign of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. If He is on the throne of our lives, then we can face tomorrow with courage and confidence." (p. 18)

Paul, Isaiah, John, all realized that God is still on His throne even though their circumstances proved that God seem so far from their circumstances. Yet, they remained strong in their conviction that God is in control.

Interestingly, Wiersbe next goes into a talk about judgment. God restricts His wrath.. It is the age old response that God can very easily be just and pour out His wrath on all of mankind. However, today is the day of salvation and not judgment. God rules in grace today and not wrath.

"Judgment day is coming, but right now God is being patient with sinners, knowingly and graciously inviting them to trust Christ and be saved. One of these hours, the day of grace will end and the day of wrath will begin, and then it will be too late. The throne of grace will become a throne of judgment and justice, and all who have never trusted Christ will be lost forever." (p. 19).

Prayer:

Father, I thank You that it is the day of grace and salvation. You demonstrate Your patience and kindness towards us today. All is not perfect today and globally there are so many injustices. One day You will make all things right. Yet, in the midst of the chaos and confusion, we, like Paul, and John, and Isaiah must see You on Your throne, still in control. That is where we can face our situation with peace and joy. I cannot look to myself for salvation, but once again, I am reminded that my focus needs to be on You.