The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in 2 Chronicles 20:6,
"Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you."
Thus begins Jehoshaphat's prayer in his plea to God before all Judah to deliver them from the advancing hords of Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites who came to wage war. This army was a "vast army" and caused a great alarm with King Jehoshaphat and all Judah.
His plea to the Lord for help begins with the acknowledgment that the Lord rules over all the "kingdoms of the nations." This reality is communicated to us throughout the Scriptures.
"Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you."
Thus begins Jehoshaphat's prayer in his plea to God before all Judah to deliver them from the advancing hords of Moabites, Ammonites and Meunites who came to wage war. This army was a "vast army" and caused a great alarm with King Jehoshaphat and all Judah.
His plea to the Lord for help begins with the acknowledgment that the Lord rules over all the "kingdoms of the nations." This reality is communicated to us throughout the Scriptures.
In Psalm 2 the rebellious nations are seen as no match for God who has ultimate rule over them and will some day establish his Son, Jesus Christ as king over them all:
"Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
'Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.'
The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
He rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
'I have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.'" Psalm 2:1-6.
Paul reminds us that the Lord himself established the various nations for his purpose of redemption:
"From one man he [God] made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.'" Acts 17:26-28.
"Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
The kings of the earth rise up
and the rulers band together
against the Lord and against his anointed, saying,
'Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.'
The One enthroned in heaven laughs;
the Lord scoffs at them.
He rebukes them in his anger
and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,
'I have installed my king
on Zion, my holy mountain.'" Psalm 2:1-6.
Paul reminds us that the Lord himself established the various nations for his purpose of redemption:
"From one man he [God] made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. 'For in him we live and move and have our being.'" Acts 17:26-28.
Paul also points out that the authority of any nation on earth has been established by God himself (yes, even the "bad ones"):
"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." Romans 13:1-2.
"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves." Romans 13:1-2.
Perhaps it is time for us to take a step back from assuming the devil runs the world (he does play his part!) and see how the events taking place today fall into the plans of our God as he pursues his agenda of redeeming mankind.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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