July 4, 2025 -- Psalm 97:1 -- Who is the LORD Who Reigns?

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People loved by the Father, in the Spirit’s power: Sh’ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

The LORD reigns, let the earth rejoice;
let the many coastlands be glad!
Psalm 97:1 ESV
 
Yesterday we looked at the fact that the LORD Jesus is King. He reigned, reigns and will reign forever. Believers see His rule by faith. Who is this faithful King? Notice His Name is all in capital letters. It is the translation of the God’s Self-revelation in Exodus 3:14 YHWH.

  • The LORD is the Promise-making and promise-keeping God (Exodus 2:23-25).

  • The LORD is faithful, even when His people are faithless (II Timothy 2:13).

  • The LORD is the Judge of all the earth and all He does is right (Genesis 18:25).

  • The LORD has revealed Himself perfectly in Jesus Christ, Who is the radiance of the Father’s glory (Hebrews 1:1-3).

  • The LORD is the Spirit, Who lives in every believer (Romans 8:11) bringing the resurrection life of Jesus to him.

  • The LORD cares for the vulnerable, the widow, the orphan and the those who are afflicted (James 1:27)

Many who claim to be believers do not delight in His rule because they don’t know the Ruler. They do not know Him intimately, through Bible-reading and prayer. They do not know Him Who has approached them in their great brokenness. They pray, but do not wait on Him to answer. (E. M. Bounds compares such listless people of prayer to little children who knock on doors but run away before the home-owner answers.) Do not be like truant children, knock at the door of heaven in prayer and wait for Him to answer.
 
Our loving, heavenly Father is so different than the rich and powerful in our age. The glitterati invite one another to each other’s parties, completely neglecting the poor, the vulnerable and the afflicted into their homes or hearts. Our Father is so wonderful, blessed, and glorious because He goes to the forgotten, the broken, the wounded and weary and answers their prayers.
 
No wonder the Psalmist rejoiced and was glad in his declaration: The LORD reigns! It knew Him Who is the One, True God. There is no other god, no other who brings joy to His people. What greater cry could there be, but the worship and honor and glory of Him Who knows us in our lowliness? Ah, read the Bible, get to know Him while He may be found. Find a Christian friend whose walk with God you admire and spend time together in pursuit of Him Who is all together lovely and excellent and beautiful. Knock in the door of heaven, ask God to make Himself known to you, pleading with Him so until the joy of knowing the LORD as your King, full of grace and truth, may truly lodge in your heart.
 
O LORD, You reign! Teach my heart to make You my own, even as Christ as made me His own. As light is sown for the righteous and joy for the upright in heart, let my life reap a continual harvest through Him Who is the Light of Life and joy be my bread and butter, no matter the circumstances of my life. Worldly happiness may be based on what happens, but Your holy joy brings me safely through all the crushing trials of my life. It is joy of being connected to You, even when the mountains melt and the and lightnings light up the world. You bring all Your children through every pain, wound, hardship, and weariness until we reach that blessed shore of eternity in Your presence. Amen.
 
https://youtu.be/KLTu1xv2-Us?si=kedqlIpH2b1PGrQM O the Deep, Deep, Love of Jesus
 

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