December 27

The Lord Reigneth!

Clouds and darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are His throne’s foundation. Fire goes before Him and consumes His foes on every side. His lightning illuminates the world; the earth sees and trembles. The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim His righteousness; all the peoples see His glory. All worshipers of images are put to shame—those who boast in idols. Worship Him, all you gods! Zion hears and rejoices, and the towns of Judah exult because of Your judgments, O LORD. For You, O LORD, are Most High over all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods. Hate evil, O you who love the LORD! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked. Light shines on the righteous, gladness on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous ones, and praise His holy name. — Ps 97:2-12 BSB

Behind every storm cloud is the clear, pure sky of God’s love. We need not be dismayed by the tempests that sweep the earth, for beneath them are the unfathomed depths of God’s stillness. He sees His way through the storms and uses them to fulfill His purposes. To Him, difficulties are as nothing—He weighs the mountains in a balance and the hills in scales. He is our Father, and there is no reason to fear. Just as children feel safe in a car driven by their father, even in the midst of a storm, we can trust that God knows the way and will lead us safely home. If we follow hard after God, His right hand will uphold us, and we can leave the rest to Him.

None who wait for Him will be ashamed. Though revolution, anarchy, or even personal disaster may strike, we shall be kept in perfect peace. The Lord reigns, and He will always remember His covenant. If we cleave to God, His right hand will uphold us, and no one will be able to snatch us from His hand. God, not earthly ease or human security, is our end and aim, and He will not fail those who seek His companionship. Though the fig tree does not blossom, and though everything we hold dear fails, we will rejoice in the Lord, for He will supply all our needs and make our feet like those of a deer, enabling us to walk safely even on the edge of a precipice.

The world is full of tumult. The floods have lifted their voices, but above the noise of many waters, the Lord on high is mighty. He must reign until He has put all His enemies beneath His feet. Even in His humiliation before Pilate, when His enemies mockingly placed a reed in His hand, they were closer to the truth than they knew. The Lamb who was slain now reigns and rules with the reed as a symbol of His gentle authority.

Prayer

Our Father, as we step into the unknown day, let us hear You say that You are with us, holding our right hand. Keep us in the storm and guide us on the untrodden path. Amen.