Over the past few weeks, headlines from home and around the world weigh heavily on all of us. Last weekend I read an article shared by a friend that encouraged pastors to help with fear and anxiety over the pandemic. Just yesterday, a man asked me to please help remind everyone about God’s place in the world. I agree. You may need to hear this as much as your neighbor: Great News! God is on the Throne!
The Royal Standard
Why? The presence of the Royal Standard lets everyone know the King or Queen is present. Here. Right now. Especially important centuries ago, the sight of the Royal Standard brought joy into the hearts of their fellow countrymen. If there were hard trials or struggles, the sight of the Royal Standard helped ease hearts and brought calm.
Great News! God is on the Throne!
Friends, in these troubling times, there is much greater news than that signified by the Royal Standard! God is on the throne!
By referring to God being on the throne, please realize it is much bigger than simply that. God is the Sovereign of the universe. God’s sovereignty includes His complete and total independent control over every creature, event, and circumstance at every moment in history. God is in complete control of every molecule in the universe at every moment, and everything that happens is either caused or allowed by Him for His own perfect purposes.[1]
The prophet Isaiah describes this control. He writes:
Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things that are not yet done,
Saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
And I will do all My pleasure,’ (Isaiah 46:10)
The Lord of hosts has sworn, saying,
“Surely, as I have thought, so it shall come to pass,
And as I have purposed, so it shall stand: (Isaiah 14:24)
Consider what the psalmist David exclaimed about God.
32 Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth;
Oh, sing praises to the Lord, Selah
33 To Him who rides on the heaven of heavens, which were of old!
Indeed, He sends out His voice, a mighty voice.
34 Ascribe strength to God;
His excellence is over Israel,
And His strength is in the clouds.
35 O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places.
The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people.
Blessed be God! (Psalm 68:32-35)
Notice his apt description of God: To Him who rides on the heavens of heavens!
Friends, in these troubling times, there is much greater news than that signified by the Royal Standard! God is on the throne! Share on XGod’s Plan and Sin
One of the fascinating and hard to understand elements of this theology includes how all sin and the curse of sin fold into the plan of God. God’s control includes the individual acts of the human will. As we determine to do whatever it is we do, God’s plan already includes those elements. Although this is certainly hard to understand, by faith we rest in this great theology. Notice these two great texts that teach this is also true:
Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them. (Psalm 139:16)
Speaking of Jesus…
Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; (Acts 2:23)
Although people were individually responsible for the death of Christ, we recognize that God’s determined purpose delivered Jesus to the cross.
Greater News! God is with you!
Lest we forget the significance of the Royal Standard above in human affairs over the centuries in the United Kingdom, please take note of this incredible truth. The greater news: God is with you!
The psalmist exclaimed:
“Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence? (Psalm 139:7)
He further describes the fact that it is impossible to leave the presence of God. God not only is with us, but knows us, cares for us, and loves us.
Lest we forget the significance of the Royal Standard above in human affairs over the centuries in the United Kingdom, please take note of this incredible truth. The greater news: God is with you! Share on XWhat about these crazy events?
How do we respond then to the atrocities and human tragedies happening now in Afghanistan?
What do we do with the information that fellow Christians are being slaughtered there? What about our fellow Americans face imminent danger having been left there by this administration?
All of us know of those who have suffered or continue to suffer under the pandemic. What about this pestilence?
In these and every other situation, we need to remember, God is on the throne. Although individuals make decisions to sin and create times of suffering in others’ lives, we can know that God’s plan includes these things. Friends, that means it will be ok.
These events fit in God’s overall plan that ends with the return of Christ, His eternal kingdom, and living with Him forever.
What is happening around you right now and in our world generally fits that plan.
The best thing you can do today is rest in the sovereignty of God.
Great news! God is on the throne! He is present with us as well.
Great news! God is on the throne! He is present with us as well. Share on X
Image Credits Davide Cantelli
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