June 16, 2006
God Reigns
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Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory. —Revelation 19:6-7
I remember well the shock and grief I felt in 1968 when Senator Robert Kennedy was assassinated in Los Angeles. People everywhere, regardless of their political affiliation, were numb with grief and horror. Coming so soon after the assassination of his brother, President John F. Kennedy, made it even more tragic.
Yet after Senator Kennedy’s funeral in St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the walls echoed with the triumphant words of Handel’s Messiah: “The Lord God Omnipotent reigneth, . . . and He shall reign for ever and ever.”
These words do not suggest that God willed the assassination. They are a triumphant affirmation that in spite of such events, God achieves all His good purposes. People do things that anger and grieve Him. But He is at work bringing good out of evil, light out of darkness, joy out of pain, order out of chaos, and life out of death.
In Psalm 93, the pounding waves of the seas that “have lifted up their voice” represent humanity in turmoil and opposition to God (v.3). They sometimes seem to be winning the battle. But the Lord is “mightier than the noise of many waters” (v.4). One day He will completely vanquish all opposition and usher in the perfect eternal world He has promised us. Our God reigns! Hallelujah!
He reigns from heaven above
With wisdom, power, and love—
Our God is an awesome God! —Mullins
© 1988 BMG Songs, Inc.
the less perplexed we are by man’s calamities.
Bible in One Year: Bible in One Year: Nehemiah 4-6; Acts 2:22-47