The Lord Reigneth- Part 1
Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously. Psalm 96:10 (KJV)
The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. Psalm 97:1 (KJV)
According to the Student Bible Dictionary, reign means to rule or act as a king. Based on these verses from Psalms, God rules as a king.
This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men. Daniel 4:17 (KJV) emphasis mine
That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will…. And they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field: they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and seven times shall pass over thee, until thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will…. And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: Daniel 4:25, 32, 34 (KJV) emphasis mine
God rules in heaven and earth. He does what He wills and gives authority as He wills. Man may be “in control” and rule, yet God is above man and reigns above him. Thus, God is higher, more powerful and has authority over man. This means God can step in at times to right wrongs, especially when man will not. At other times, God will not interfere because born-again man does have authority on the earth, given to him by God.
God’s will is higher than man’s will. God does not violate a man’s will. However, when man refuses to carry out God’s will, at times God will carry out His will Himself so that His overarching plan for mankind can be accomplished. God prefers to work with man, with His will and man’s will coming together as one. Jesus gave man authority and God likes to partner with man to accomplish His will in the earth. However, when man abuses his God-given authority, God may choose to step in, take over, and take care of things. He will especially do so when other people with authority are praying, because their prayers give Him access to work. At times, God will take down wicked rulers. At other times, He will use men to take down wicked rulers.
My point is that God’s kingdom rules over all. Ultimately, God’s will and plan will be carried out. God chooses to use man to advance the kingdom of God. When people won’t cooperate with God, innocent people often suffer. Yet, God can or will move to reach people. even when mankind is standing in defiance of God’s will, He can still reach people and minister to them by His Spirit. At times, God will wait to move. At other times, He may move right away. God has a plan and knows the right thing to do and the right time to do it. He can choose what and when, because He is sovereign.
And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment. And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him. Isaiah 59:14-16 (KJV)
When Man chooses to do wrong, God will act to do right. By His sovereign will, God chooses to act when man will not- because the Lord reigns. For example, man chose to rebel, but God chose to send Jesus to remedy the situation. Tomorrow, we will continue this discussion on the rulership of God.
