How good is your eyesight these days? Have you ever tried to focus in
on something that appeared blurry to you and you just couldn't get your
eyes to see right? That happens to me sometimes when I've been reading
and then look up to view something across the room. When I am changing
my focus, I don't always have an immediate sharp, clear picture, or rather,
a proper view of things in the distance. The farther away the object is
at which I am looking, the harder it is for me to bring it into view.
Likewise, I find the same thing happens to me spiritually; perhaps it
even occurs to you too. We tend to lose sight of the Lord quite often,
not maintaining a consistent, clear view of who He really is. To sharpen
our spiritual perspective, we have to focus in on Him again and again…
Psalm 93 is what brought me to the place of realizing that I have had
a dimmed view of my heavenly Father. In fact, the first three words of
this psalm stopped me in my tracks and pricked my heart....
"The Lord reigneth....."
Ladies, when you and I start to fall apart spiritually, start to get down
or discouraged, when hopelessness creeps in and we begin to entertain
thoughts about quitting, we have lost sight of the fact that the Lord
reigneth!! Our impaired spiritual eyesight can only be sharpened via the
Word of God. Just reading these three words in the Bible mended my spiritual
perspective today. While they are only three little words, they pack a
whole lot of punch! In fact, my eyesight continued to improve greatly
through the following verses…
Psalm 97:1 (KJV)
The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be
glad thereof.
Psalm 99:1 (KJV)
The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims;
let the earth be moved.
Psalm 103:19 (KJV)
The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth
over all.
No longer do we have to stumble along in doubt or worry - the Lord reigneth!
He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and always has been! Nothing can
ever change that... Everything is under His control, even nature itself!
Although God's children may lose sight of this fact, and some men may
never even recognize His sovereignty, nonetheless it is true! When our
spiritual eyes fail us, when life on earth dims our view of God and we
lose sight of the fact that the Lord reigneth, it does not change the
truth! He is the majestic God who has firmly established His dominion
in the world. No one can thwart the purpose of God; He is self-existent
and omnipotent. His purposes will be fulfilled, His throne is fixed in
heaven and His Word is infallible. Although the teachings of other religions
are subject to change, God's testimonies are sure – the Lord reigneth!
Oh, how we need to fix our hearts upon these three little words, amen?
Whether we are focusing on this truth for the very first time, or refocusing
on this truth all over again, it should always bring strength to our souls.
This feature of our heavenly Father should provoke a proper response in
our hearts to the events that come about in our daily lives, should change
the direction of our thinking and living. It is not our problems that
are reigning, not a troublesome mother-in-law that is reigning, not an
unfair employer that is reigning, not a wayward child that is reigning,
not an insensitive spouse or a miserable neighbor who is reigning, not
even a backslidden believer has control - it is the LORD who reigneth!
The Bible says our God is clothed in majesty and strength. What character
trait are you wearing today, dear lady - fear, worry, bitterness, anger,
depression? You see, the real problem lies in our vision… We have lost
sight of the amazing power of God! We respond to life's difficulties and
life's difficult people without remembering that the Lord reigneth! Benjamin
Franklin is quoted as saying, "I have lived, sir, a long time, and the
longer I live the more convincing proof I see of this truth - that God
governs the affairs of men." The longer we live, the more you and I will
also witness the sovereign hand of God. Within His Word there is much
convincing proof that not only does the Lord have the power to pardon
our sin, He can also deliver and protect all who trust in Him. It is this
understanding which should bring us strength in the midst of our struggles
and alter our view of what is happening to us at present. It should correct
our perspective!
Luke 24:16 (KJV)
But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.
Take a moment to consider what has been your focus of late... Has anything
dimmed your spiritual eyesight these days, held you back from knowing
God more intimately? Have you forgotten that the Lord reigneth? What concerns
do you hold that you could apply the truth of these words to today? What
about our fears and vulnerabilities, how do you think God wants us to
view them in light of this knowledge of Him? The scriptures have shown
me today that I need to look at everything through the understanding that
GOD is in control. Nothing can threaten the security that I have in my
Lord, for He reigneth! Satan has always tried to thwart the purpose of
God and usurp His throne, but God is King in heaven and on earth, He cannot
be moved! God's throne is established of old, He will never be overthrown
as King, nor should I fear that I would be as His child! I don't have
to be a victim of my past, overwhelmed by the present, or fearful of the
future - the Lord reigneth! What stability this truth brings to our soul
as we rest in Him and His majesty, His power, His holiness...
Psalm 93:4 (KJV)
The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than
the mighty waves of the sea.
Perhaps this topic isn't an area of weakness for you... Maybe your vision
of the Lord has remained undimmed by the circumstances of life. Are you
telling others then that the Lord reigneth? Are you pointing blind people
to the majesty and strength of the Lord when they have lost sight of any
hope? Certainly this world in itself has a very vague view of the sovereignty
of God... What are you doing personally to bring a proper perspective
of Him to a lost and dying world?
Psalm 96:10 (KJV)
Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth...
Isaiah 52:7 (KJV)
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good
tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that
publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!
Ladies, this matter should be something that we talk about with those
who are not recognizing the sovereignty of God in their lives. One day
it will be too late for them when they finally realize that the Lord does
indeed reign over all! Not only should our lives be a testimony that the
Lord reigneth, but also our lips need to publish this truth wherever we
go! As others view our trials and struggles, are they seeing we respond
according to this truth, or are we found disgruntled, disappointed, and
disagreeable over life's circumstances? Are we good examples of yielding
to the Lord's sovereignty ourselves? As God's dear children are we proving
that He reigns in our hearts, or are we typically bucking His authority
and complaining over the direction He has chosen for us to take? If He
reigneth over all, He will be exalted through our lives AND our lips!
What message is your life sending forth, "The Lord reigneth" or "I reigneth"?
1 Chronicles 29:11-13 (KJV)
Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the
victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and the earth
is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above
all. Both riches and honour come of thee, and thou reignest over all;
and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.
Now therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.
The above verse gives us a clue as to how we can tell if the Lord is truly
reigning in our lives, or in the life of another person - thankfulness
will take place and praise will be uttered...
Revelation 11:15-17 (KJV)
And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven,
saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord
and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. And the four
and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their
faces, and worshipped God, Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty,
which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee
thy great power, and hast reigned.
What triumph is pictured here! The Lord reigned over sin, death, and hell
and one day we will live with Him for all of eternity because of His supreme
reign! Jesus died on the cross, arose, and returned victoriously to heaven!
He defeated all our foes! We too, will fall on our faces and thank God
for His supreme reign over all, just as these angels! What some will realize
all to late, God's children will be thankful for in eternity - the Lord
reigneth! This is a special blessing that we should be thankful for NOW,
amen? Such knowledge should improve our eyesight and our speech.
Luke 2:30 (KJV)
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation...
Ladies, when you're overwhelmed, when trials come and never seem to leave,
it may appear at times that the throne of heaven is empty, but it is not!
Jesus Christ has both power and ALL authority in every matter! No matter
how difficult the circumstances might be or even become, no matter how
defeated God's people may think they are, Jesus Christ is still King of
Kings and Lord of lords, and He IS in control! One day, we shall triumph
with Him! The Lord has given us these three little words in Psalm 93 so
that we can go out and pack a good punch in the face of opposition! THE
LORD REIGNETH... Let's strive not to lose sight of this truth…
Revelation 11:6-7 (KJV)
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice
of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings saying, Alleluia:
for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and
give honour to him....
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2004
