Saturday, July 19, 2014

The LORD Reigns

Psalm 97 begins, "The LORD reigns." A simple, but powerful fact that should fill our minds with wonder and our hearts with confidence. That is, if we have peace with God. (Romans 5:1) The response of the Psalmist reflects this: "The Lord reigns; let the earth rejoice!" Are we rejoicing today in the assurance that God is in control and His ways are just and right? Do we delight in His watchful care and loving interest for our inmost thoughts and desires?

Perhaps you are tempted to doubt such statements. You want to live for God and trust Him... but it is easy to get shaken up. After all, things can go dreadfully wrong. Sometimes it seems like we are forsaken at our most critical hour of need. Where is God then? Is He taking a break - sitting back while the devil has his heyday? Look again. The Bible is full of crisis situations, suffering and evil - and the LORD reigns over them all. He is never defeated. Human plans and hopes often are. So the question really is, are we wanting God's will to triumph in our lives - or our own comfort and plans?

After spending much of the spring in the coastal regions of Kenya, brother Lawrence wrote: "We have been witnessing wonders at Mpeketoni, in Lamu County.... The blessings, freedom and joy God has given us as we minister here is tremendous. We move from home to home, study the word, pray and sing praises to God on a daily basis. ...Glory, glory to God. It so thrills my soul to be where there is this wonderful enthusiasm and joy in the service of the Lord... If the Lord keeps us so burdened, we will have to go down there and settle, but we are still praying and waiting. We started building a school in the area using local material... and will have it running in January next year, the Lord willing and blessing." He went on to describe how "wonderfully blessed" the area was, which has encouraged many to immigrate there with offers of jobs and land. With such favor, it is easy to rejoice in the Lord's reign.


A few days later disaster struck Lamu County, Kenya. The terrorism made international headlines. Mpeketoni had been targeted by a militant Muslim group and death and fear filled the news. But it wasn't just "somebody else" that was killed, as a hurried line from Lawrence revealed. These same rejoicing saints had been faced with sudden life-threatening persecution and several had died in the attack. The concerned minister, just recovering from a bout with malaria up at Makindu, hurried to the coast to offer consolation and to help with funeral arrangements. Destruction... dashed hopes... and opportunity to become offended. (Matthew 13:20-21) The enthusiasm and joy were over. Now it was time to prove where their hearts really were. 

A month has passed. Brother Lawrence's recent update reflects his confidence in God, reigning and triumphant, despite all opposition:
"Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of His holiness. Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King. God is known in her palaces for a refuge. (Ps. 48). 

Our guaranteed satisfaction is only in Him. After serious illness for nearly two weeks, I am rejoicing in His wonderful love. I am now well again and only awaiting to be revived in strength and resources again to continue as before and even better.


Instability has now befallen the Lamu congregations and fear has gripped so many around the county.... Many have fled the area and those saints left are now gathering together in one congregation. Please, pray that those going forth may be brave enough to witness boldly for the Lord. Truth has to march on while the enemy rages in his wrath. ...Food for them is a problem now that it is hard to get jobs, and even to go to work in open fields, because of the current insecurity and fear. Please, pray for these."
 
God's Word says that He will have a tested and tried people, who will put their trust in Him (Zeph 3:12, 1 Peter 1:7). It is easy to rejoice when things go well. But when they don't - when God allows our health and finances, our homes and families to be targeted - do we humble ourselves under His mighty hand? Will we look up and say with a trusting heart, like Job, "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD"? Do we believe in His goodness despite all appearances?

I am glad that God reigns in the midst of the crises of our lives. He is not overwhelmed or outmaneuvered by the enemy. He is not discouraged by the setbacks and disasters that befall us. He is God, and He knows how to carry out His perfect purposes through it all. Because of it all. When we come to the end of our resources and hope, He has just begun. (Matt. 19:26; 2 Cor. 9:12) The LORD reigns. Isn't that a glorious reason to rejoice?