THE LORD REIGNS
1 THE LORD REIGNS; Let the earth rejoice; Let the multitude of isles be glad!
2 CLOUDS AND DARKNESS SURROUND HIM; RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE ARE THE FOUNDATION OF HIS THRONE.
3 A FIRE GOES BEFORE HIM, And burns up His enemies round about.
4 HIS LIGHTNINGS LIGHT THE WORLD; The earth sees and trembles.
5 THE MOUNTAINS MELT LIKE WAX AT THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD, At the PRESENCE OF THE LORD OF THE WHOLE EARTH.
6 THE HEAVENS DECLARE HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, AND ALL THE PEOPLES SEE HIS GLORY."
Psalm 97:1-6 (NKJV)
The Psalmist talks about God's reign. And he tries to talk about what happens and should happen when God reigns in someone's life or that of a group of people or in a place.
God's reign is universal because He created all things. He is the Creator of the things that are seen and the things that are not seen (2 Corinthians 4:18).
In other words, the seen world, the physical world and the unseen world, the spiritual world are all created by God.
God's presence is made known both in the physical world and the spiritual world. His presence can be felt in both realms.
God's reign is universal as said, but it might not be so in an individual person's life. God is the God of the whole universe, both the godly and ungodly—heathens. But He is not a Father to all!
God is only a Father to those who put their faith in Him through Jesus Christ. Those who acknowledged that Jesus Christ came into the world and believed that He died for their sins and resurrected that they might be justified and be reconciled to Him, God (2 Corinthians 5:18; 1 John 2:2).
Such people are the ones called sons and daughters of God Whom He reigns in their lives: "BUT AS MANY AS RECEIVED HIM, TO THEM HE GAVE THE RIGHT TO BECOME CHILDREN OF GOD, TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN HIS NAME" (John 1:12 NKJV).
Thus, a relationship is established between such people and God—He is their Father and they are members of His family (Ephesians 3:14,15).
This family is also called the church of the firstborn that is registered in heaven which is the city of God (Hebrews 12:22-24).
Those who are in this family are the actual people that could be said that God reigns or is reigning in their lives.
God knows that those who are not in this family do exist and He is there God, but not their Father!
In fact, in a number of other religions, they do not even acknowledge God as Father. Some do not even believe that one entity or supreme being do exist as God, they rather believe that numerous gods exist, polytheism.
It is only in Christianity, Judaism and Islam that they believe in monotheism. Even with that, both in Judaism and Islam, they do believe they are not qualified to say or call themselves children of God. They rather believe that they are His slaves or servants—they do believe they are not worthy to be called children of God.
It is only in the Christianity that we talk and teach about the Fatherhood of God for those who put their faith in Him through the death and resurrection of Christ Jesus (John 1:12).
These believers are the people that God reigns in their lives. He controls and directs and leads the affairs of their lives—they are His and sheep of His pasture (Psalm 79:13).
Thus, If you are among those who God reigns in their lives, you should always rejoice!
Another thing that the Psalmist said and did in our text is that he was trying to describe the throne of God which exists in the spiritual realm, because It could not be seen physically (Psalm 97:2).
And the Psalmist said the isles or islands should rejoice because of God's reigning.
He made us understand that God Himself is surrounded by clouds and darkness (Psalm 97:2).
That, the foundation of God's throne is righteousness and justice. In other words, iniquity, unrighteousness and injustice, cannot be found or seen with Him, God. He is a just God (Numbers 23:19; Romans 2:11).
The Psalmist testimony here talks about God's integrity, purity and His justness.
Thus, whoever wants to walk with Him, or who is walking with Him, should be like Him—His attributes of purity and justness should also be found or seen in such a person (Ephesians 5:1).
High moral standard is expected and required from whoever claims to be of God (1 Peter 1:14-16).
Fire goes before God!
• God is asserted to be a consuming fire in the Book of Hebrews (Hebrews 12:29).
• Also, the God we serve is a many sided-God, multifaceted, has innumerable aspects; thus, a God with manifold wisdom (Ephesians 3:10).
The fire aspect of God can be unleashed when His faithful and committed children are being threatened and wanted to be done harm.
• Fire could go from God to deal with those who stand as His enemies, or those who rise against His beloved children.
If this would actually be or happen, the group of such believers should be the ones who are unwavering in their commitment to Him.
• Such should understand what It means to have God's presence; when God is always acknowledged, being communed with, and being carried along in whatever is being done by such (Proverbs 3:5,6). Without God we can but do nothing (John 15:5).
• The presence of God in your life put those who stand as enemies to flight. Thus, strive not to lose God's presence in your life. Absence of God's presence can be calamitous!
God's presence is gotten through:
I. The Word of God. When you study the Word and live your life in line with it (Joshua 1:8; Psalm 1:1-3; James 1:22-25). Do not compromise your stand in God.
II. Praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). When you study and live the Word, added with prayer, His presence would always be with you.
III. Your obedience to the instructions given to you by God is also a thickening force in your relationship and fellowship with Him—It makes His presence strong in your life.
IV. What a believer should strive to build most is the fellowship or communion, walking daily, moment by moment, with the consciousness of God. Acknowledging Him in all you do, even in the minutest things, what could be considered insignificant (Proverbs 3:5,6).
If a believer succeed in building this cordiality, the presence of God would be manifestly strong in the life of such a believer.
You will not fail in Jesus' name.
• I declare healing for any ailing part of your body in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
Peace!
STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. As you took the steps A and B your name is written in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).
If you took the steps As highlighted above, congratulations, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!