Morning By Morning #225

The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad.

Psalm 97:1

From the pen of Charles Spurgeon:

As long as this verse is true, there is no reason for anxiety. On earth the Lord’s power as readily controls the raging of the wicked as the raging of the seas, and His love as easily refreshes the poor with mercy as the land with showers. His majesty shines in flashes of fire even amid the horror of the storm, and His glory is seen in its full grandeur in the fall of empires and the collapse of thrones. Thus, in all our conflicts and tribulations, we too can behold the hand of our divine King.

God is God; He sees and hears

All our troubles, all our tears.

Soul, forget not, ’mid your pains,

God o’er all forever reigns.

Johann Friedrich Zihn, 1650 – 1719

Translated from German by Catherine Winkworth, 1827 – 1878

The evil spirits of hell must acknowledge, to their own misery, God’s undoubted supremacy, and even when allowed to roam the earth, one ankle is chained, His rein is in the monster’s mouth, and His fishhook is in leviathan’s jaws. The darts of death are under His lock and key, and He is the divine Watchman, also controlling the prison of the grave. The fearsome vengeance of the Judge of all the earth causes demons to cower and tremble, as dogs fear the hunter’s whip.

Fear not death, nor Satan’s thrusts,

God defends who in Him trusts;

Soul, remember, in your pains,

God o’er all forever reigns.

Zihn and Winkworth

In heaven no one denies the sovereignty of the King Eternal—they fall on their faces to honor Him. Angels are His attendants, the redeemed are His favorites, and everyone delights to serve Him day and night. May we soon reach the city of the great King!

For this life’s long night of sadness

He will give us peace and gladness.

Soul, remember, in your pains,

God o’er all forever reigns.

Zihn and Winkworth

From the pen of Jim Reimann:

Unbelievers, and even some believers, deny God’s sovereignty over their lives. But a mature Christian is thankful He is in control and recognizes the truth of Romans 8:28: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

“Your word, O LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you” (Ps. 119:89 – 91).