Sunday: August 18, 2013

READ: Psalm 93-94

THINK: Each night around nine o clock, I have the privilege of rocking my sweet, one year old daughter as she falls asleep. For the last few months, she has requested that I sing the same tune over and over and over again. As annoying as the sound of my voice becomes to me, especially when repeating the same lyrics for the umpteenth time, I just keep singing because it means my daughter will soon be asleep! Her current song of choice is “This is My Father’s World,” an old hymn. I’m not sure how I know the lyrics to this song, but I have a feeling its because my Mom sang it on repeat as I was growing up. As I have sung and sung and sung this little tune to Myka Mae, it has become the cry of my heart for myself and my little girl. This following verse is particularly meaningful to me:

This is my Father’s world. 
O let me ne’er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet. 
This is my Father’s world: 
why should my heart be sad? 
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring! 
God reigns; let the earth be glad!

Does not the wrong in this world feel so, so strong? I struggle to watch the news or read the newspaper because the amount of evil plaguing our world can be overwhelming to me. I want to be Jesus’ hands and feet to a lost and hurting world, but there are plenty of times I feel absolutely helpless…as if evil has won. As much as Satan may want me to believe that lie – NOTHING could be further from the truth!

David proclaims the truth of God’s power in Psalm 93:

¹ The Lord reigns, he is robed in majesty;
    the Lord is robed in majesty and armed with strength;
    indeed, the world is established, firm and secure.
² Your throne was established long ago;
    you are from all eternity.

Our God reigns, He is the ruler yet! In Psalm 94, David acknowledges how disheartening it is to be surrounded by evil, but remains confident in God’s power and authority. David recognizes that God knows all that we are experiencing and nothing escapes him. David affirms that judgment is the Lord’s. We need not fear the world, brothers and sisters! We need not fear our future. And I need not fear for even the future of my young child. God is the ruler yet! He rules and reigns, now and forever. Rejoice in that, take hold of that, go out into this dark world with joy and confidence in your God!

Psalm 94:18-19

When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
    your unfailing love, Lord, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
    your consolation brought me joy.