Psalm 97
Sunday, 22 December 2024
“The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice….”- Psalm 97:1
Psalm 97 exalts the power and dominion of GOD Almighty. The first verse states that the earth has reason to rejoice – because the reign of the Lord, the rule and authority of the Creator is upon the earth.
Since righteousness and justice are the foundations of His throne (V.2)— His reign is felt in in all of creation-the earth trembles, the hills melt like wax… at the presence of the Lord! Such is the power and majesty of the Almighty One! His creation responds to His rule and reign!
Yet we see fallen man bowing to idols and carved images rather than worshipping the One who is worthy of all praise. Such people have not acknowledged His reign and rule over their lives. The futility of making idols and worshipping them is mentioned in Isaiah 44:6-20. They cannot answer or save man in the direst circumstances. Let us see what God speaks to us through Isaiah 44:24, ‘Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer, And He who formed you from the womb: “I am the Lord, who makes all things, Who stretches out the heavens all alone, Who spreads abroad the earth by Myself;”’ He wants His creation to acknowledge Him and have His reign and rule in their lives.
Jesus mentioned in Luke 17:21, “…the kingdom of God is within you.” The Kingdom of God is where the reign of God is! -and God wants His reign in each of our hearts. When Jesus taught us the manner in which to pray in Matthew 6:9-13, He starts with, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be thy name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” If we want His kingdom- that is, His reign in our lives, we need to seek to do His will as well!
The two stated will of God in His Word are:
2 Thess.2:13[NLT]: “God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation—a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth.” Salvation is a new birth in Jesus Christ through believing in Him. Jesus when He spoke to Nicodemus said one needs to be born again to enter God’s Kingdom: “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.” (John 3:5,6 NLT) He wants everyone to obtain salvation that their place in His Kingdom will be secure.
1Thess.4:3[NLT]: “God’s will is for you to be holy…” A holy God cannot tolerate sin and evil. He therefore expects us who are in His kingdom to live holy lives. In ourselves, we can never attain the standard of God’s holiness but receiving the righteousness imputed to us by Christ Jesus when we trust in His death on the cross for our behalf, we receive the right standing with God. Christ Jesus’ shed blood cleanses us from all sin (1John 1:9). Then His Spirit who lives in us helps us continue to lead holy lives.
Dear friend, is your life outside the reign of God? Do ensure today that you allow Him to have reign over your life! Then you too can rejoice that His righteousness and justice will be established in your life!
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. (1 Timothy 1:17)
Listen: 'Reign in me again'
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