With so many hearts and mind reeling in panic/euphoria or just numb with fatigue in the aftermath of our national election, we need reminded of WHO is our ultimate and enduring Sovereign. For far too many of my dear friends…and me, the view of our day is shaped by the proper names that have dominated this recent news cycle. There is SOMEONE ELSE that should shape our hope and outlook.
Dr. David L. Allen recently tweeted a thread that great challenged my thinking as a preacher of the Gospel: “I was called to preach when Nixon was President. I preached when Ford was president. I preached when Carter was president. I preached when Reagan was president. I preached when Bush 41 was president. I preached when Clinton was president. I preached when Bush 43 was president.I preached when Obama was president. I preached when Trump was president. I will continue to preach when Biden is president (for the record he is not president yet). “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8.”
May the following lyrics sang this past Sunday at North Life Baptist Church, remind you of the Jehovah God who inhabits eternity and rules in the affairs of man:
There is strength within the sorrow
There is beauty in our tears
And You meet us in our mourning
With a love that casts out fear
You are working in our waiting
You’re sanctifying us
When beyond our understanding
You’re teaching us to trust
Your plans are still to prosper
You have not forgotten us
You’re with us in the fire and the flood
You’re faithful forever
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us
You are wisdom unimagined
Who could understand Your ways
Reigning high above the Heavens
Reaching down in endless grace
You’re the lifter of the lowly
Compassionate and kind
You surround and You uphold me
And Your promises are my delight
Your plans are still to prosper
You have not forgotten us
You’re with us in the fire and the flood
You’re faithful forever
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us
Even what the enemy means for evil
You turn it for our good
You turn it for our good and for Your glory
Even in the valley, You are faithful
You’re working for our good
You’re working for our good and for Your glory
Your plans are still to prosper
You have not forgotten us
You’re with us in the fire and the flood
You’re faithful forever
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us
You’re faithful forever
Perfect in love
You are sovereign over us
I choose to believe these words/repeat this words about my God who is not only still on His throne in heaven but is fully engaged in reconciling all things in our present world. As my dear friend Tim Christoson recently reminded his church, “Everything God does in this world, He does someWHERE. Why not HERE?” Yes, why not here? Why not 2020 with all of it dysfunction and challenges? For…He is sovereign not just over “them,” “there,” and “then”; He is also sovereign over “US,” “HERE,” and “NOW!” Whatever is intended by the enemy for evil, this Sovereign of whom we worship can “turn it for our good and for His glory!” Believe it. Act upon it. And let’s see together what the One in charge of it all is going to do in His redemptive power with where we find ourselves today!
Ps 115:1-3 “Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased.”
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