Thursday, January 9, 2025

His kingdom rules

 _{The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all. ~ Psalms 103:19}

  Back when 2020 hit, I was a courier for Fedex.  When the whole world was shut down, my job became vital.  With so many people working from home, the demand for package and business document deliveries skyrocketed. My route consisted of priority overnight deliveries which meant fewer stops but spread out over a vast area. This meant I spent long hours driving alone, navigating quiet roads.

I actually enjoyed that part of the job and with my new small transit van equipped with Bluetooth, I could connect my phone and listen to podcasts, music, and even scripture as I drove.

During that season, I was listening and even quoting Psalms 103 as I drove.  It was a Psalm I had learned many years earlier and often spoke it out as a reminder of God’s faithfulness and benefits.  At that particular time, there was a verse in the chapter that jumped out at me.  With all the turmoil of the pandemic and the uncertainties of the cultural conflicts, I found myself from time to time feeling anxious and even fearful at times about what the future held.  It was in one of those moments I remember this Psalm and verse 19 grabbed my attention.  As I spoke the words: “The Lord has established His throne in the heaven and His kingdom rules over all”, I suddenly had the realization and revelation that no matter what was happening in the world around me, God’s throne was established and not going anywhere and His kingdom rules over everything.  No pandemic, no cultural clash and no election outcome were going to change that.

From that moment on, whenever stress began to creep in, I would remind myself of this passage, and God’s peace and comfort would fill my heart, strengthening and encouraging me during those troubling times. Even today, though the world has settled down somewhat, there are still countless reasons to feel anxious or concerned about the future. Because of this, I’ve developed a simple plan of action to follow when fear and uncertainty begin to rise. This plan has been a lifeline for me, and I believe it can help you too. Here’s how you can implement it in your own life:

1. Anchor Yourself in Scripture
2. Take time to meditate on Psalms 103:11-22, focusing on God’s steadfast love, compassion, and authority in the earth. Let the truth of verse 19 remind you that above everything else, God’s plan is the one that will stand, even when life feels uncertain.
3. Memorize key verses like Psalm 103:19 so you can speak them out to stop the thoughts that are leading you to fear during stressful or uncertain times.
4. Practice Gratitude
5. Make a list of “God’s benefits” mentioned at the beginning this chapter.  Things such as His forgiveness, healing, redemption, love, and mercy. Think about how you’ve experienced these in your own life.
6. Each day, thank God for specific ways you’ve seen His kingdom rule in your circumstances.
7. Encourage Others
8. Share this Psalm with someone who might be feeling overwhelmed. A simple reminder of God’s love and power to change things can bring peace and perspective to someone in need.
9. Speak words of life and hope by reminding those around you that God’s throne is established, and His kingdom rules over all.
10. Lean into Prayer
11. Use Psalm 103 as a framework for your prayers. Start with praise, acknowledge God’s rule, and bring your concerns to Him, trusting that He reigns over every situation.
12. Pray specifically for areas in your life or community where peace and assurance are needed, proclaiming God’s authority over them.
13. Create Space for God to speak to your heart
14. If you spend time driving or commuting, use it as an opportunity to listen to Scripture or worship music. Listen closely in those moments for God to speak to your heart during the activities of your daily routine.

No matter what you are facing today and what the current crisis in the world is, nothing can change the reality that God is working His plan, and His kingdom will be the one still standing when the rest of the world fades away.

Today I want to encourage you that no matter what is going on around you, remember that God’s throne is unshakable. His love and kingdom rule are eternal and His plan for your life is where you should focus your attention. Let this truth fill you with hope, peace, and courage to move forward with confidence in Him.

Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 103:11-22

11 For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him;

12 As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him.

14 For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.

16 For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.

17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children,

18 To such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them.

19 The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.

20 Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word.

21 Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure.

22 Bless the Lord, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul!