Listen

The Lord rules— the nations shake! He sits enthroned on the winged heavenly creatures— the earth quakes! The Lord is great in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations. Let them thank your great and awesome name. He is holy!

Psalm 99:1-3

Think

This ancient song celebrates the fact that God is king — that God is in control and that God cares.

The first people that sang this song most likely did not have much control. Ancient Judah was a tiny, insignificant nation that kept being conquered and ruled by enemy empires. Many people struggled to feed their families while they watched the rich get richer and richer, often taking advantage of those who were most vulnerable to line their own pockets.

We often feel like we don’t have much control either. We feel powerless to change things that are wrong. We see violence, injustice, sickness, and conflict hurt our world.

So the fact that God is in control and that God cares is really good news. God sits enthroned over all the nations that send their armies and tax collectors and corrupt officials. God sits enthroned over all the people in our own communities who exert power and manipulate the systems in unjust ways. A holy God is in control. And a holy God cares.

Rebecca Poe Hays

Pray

Holy and glorious God, thank you for caring.

May your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.

Amen.

Go

Your genuine faith will result in praise, glory, and honor for you when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you’ve never seen him, you love him. Even though you don’t see him now, you trust him and so rejoice with a glorious joy that is too much for words.

1 Peter 1:7b-8