[Please join me in praying for our nation and world on Tuesdays this year.]
I will proclaim the name of the Lord.
Oh, praise the greatness of our God!
He is the Rock, his works are perfect,
and all his ways are just.
A faithful God who does no wrong,
upright and just is he.
(Deuteronomy 32:3-4 NIV)
Recently my children’s choir sang an arrangement of “This Is My Father’s World.” I chose this song for them because most of them attend churches where hymns are no longer sung, and because the theology of this song has been a great comfort to me through the years.
This is my Father’s world,
And to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas–
His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world:
O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
Why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King: let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let earth be glad!
(by Maltbie D. Babcock)
The lines that especially catch my attention are:
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
In this day and age there is so much darkness and hopelessness, so much grief and suffering, so much destruction and pure wickedness it can seem overwhelming. The wrong seems oft(en) so strong. BUT God is the Ruler yet. Our Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent God who loves us with an everlasting love and kindness, created us to be born in this time and this place and for HIS purposes. It’s not an accident we live in this world; it’s a calling. So, let us continue to pray in faith, with conviction that our prayers will be heard, because God is the RULER of this world.
Victorious God,
In the midst of this battle for our nation’s soul, we thank you that you already have won the war. We thank you that, even now, you are calling your children deeper into more intimate communion with you – not to just know about you, but to KNOW you because you want to reveal yourself to us. We thank you that you have risen an army of prayer warriors who are praying that this nation will turn to you. We thank you that you love the just and will not forsake your righteous ones. Instead, wrongdoers will be completely destroyed and the righteous will inherit the land. Thank you for renewing our faith in your timelessness, your justice, your hope, peace and victory. Thank you that even when we don’t see it or hear it, you are working all things together for good. Thank you that you are giving your people new strategies, new ideas, new solutions to the problems we face and the battles we fight. Like Elisha’s servant, help us to trust – and even to see – your angelic armies poised to fight for us. Help us to not fear our circumstances or the pressures of this world, but to realize that those who are with us – those who are on the Lord’s side – are more than those who are against us. Open our eyes to see, know, and trust your armies that are fighting for your People and this nation so your Church can fulfill her mission. In the strong name of Christ we pray, Amen.
“Go, find out where [Elisha] is,” the king ordered, “so I can send men and capture him.” The report came back: “He is in Dothan.” Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 Kings 6:13-17 NIV)
“For the Lord loves the just
and will not forsake his faithful ones.
Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed;
the offspring of the wicked will perish.
The righteous will inherit the land
and dwell in it forever.” (Psalm 37:28-29 NIV)
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 NIV)
“For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory.” (Deuteronomy 20:4 NIV)
“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him,
for he shields him all day long,
and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders.” (Deuteronomy 33:12 NIV)
“God is fighting for us
Pushing back the darkness
Lighting up the Kingdom
That cannot be shaken
In the Name of Jesus
Enemy’s defeated
And we will shout it out
Shout it out”
(“In Jesus’s Name” by Israel Houghton & Darlene Zschech)