Way #39 – He Will Reign

I have a friend who’s at a major crossroad in life. Her circumstances are crazy and the outcome, one way or the other, will be major. I can only imagine all she’s feeling. I’m struggling to contain all I’m feeling on her behalf. I find myself thinking: If she could just know what the future holds, then… I imagine the wisdom, strength, comfort and peace she’d have as a result, as if knowing the outcome in advance is the only way she can have all of these.

My reaction to her circumstances has revealed (once again) how strong my drive to know and control is when I fail to rest in the complete, down-to-the-smallest-detail sovereignty and provision of God. Most often, God doesn’t reveal everything to us when we think we need it. There was A LOT Mary and Joseph didn’t know about their future as Jesus’ parents.

Trusting Him when we don’t know, can’t see and don’t understand is how God increases our faith and deepens our relationship with Him. Yet, He reveals a lot. And actually, He’s revealed and already accomplished what’s most important. It’s contained in the prophetic word we celebrate at Christmas:

“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given,

and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called

Wonderful Counselor

Mighty God

Everlasting Father

Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this” (Isaiah 9:6-7).

God gave and Jesus came.  Though not in the form many envisioned, Jesus’ earthly government began with His first coming. Jesus brought God’s kingdom to earth in the exact manner God ordained for our day. His kingdom is within us:

They can’t say, ‘Here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ You see, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21).

The “you” Jesus referred to is all who in believing faith make Him their LORD. For this ordained period of time, God has chosen to bring His kingdom, His governing influence, to earth through His followers. To this end, His followers have full access TODAY to His wonderful and mighty governing power. In all we see and don’t see, in all we know and don’t know, we have an ever-present Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace willing to impart what we need, when we need it. We simply have to ask, and then believe God for it as we wait on it:

“Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]” (Hebrews 4:16).

The question is: Are you letting Jesus govern your life?

• Are you going to Him for everything you need?
• Are you seeking His wisdom, surrendering to His timeframe, submitting to His plans?
• Does He have the final say in all matters concerning you?
• Are you resting in the unknown because you’re choosing to believe He only has the best of plans for you?

Will you practice Way #39 of 52 Ways to Glorify God?:

Invite God to govern your life today.

Let His reign increase day by day. Let Him establish and uphold His justice and righteousness in you and through you. Be blessed to live a life that only the zeal (passionate commitment) of God Almighty can accomplish.