“O Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.“
“The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord’s throne is in heaven;
his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.”
“On every side the wicked prowl,
as vileness is exalted among the children of man.
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?
How long must I… have sorrow in my heart all the day?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?”
“The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man,
to see if there are any who understand,
who seek after God.” Psalm 8:1; 11:4; 12:8-13:2; 14:2
Vileness is exalted, enemies are exalted, but God is exalted above all. The highest things of earth strut below the Highest God of heaven. Wicked men rise up and wreak havoc with cities and families, worldly gods and godless efforts permeate the seen and unseen, but the supreme Lord reigns in absolute power and perfection over all. Whatever troubles or forces, His rule prevails and His love never fails. (Psalm 97:9; 113:3-4; Romans 8:33-39)
As the psalmist well knew, our times are saturated with a loud exalting of vileness, corruption, and influencers who have wicked sway. We cannot escape the drone of coarse language, violence, injustice, and salacious enticements. The enemy sometimes prowls in quiet disguise and sometimes roars with such volume we’re deafened to reason and beauty. It’s crucial for daily victory to acknowledge Who is eternally exalted and reigning over all. Reminding ourselves of God’s unshakable sovereignty readjusts perspective and reinforces our clutch on Him.
“Crown him with many crowns,
the Lamb upon his throne.
Hark! how the heavenly anthem drowns
all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing
of him who died for thee,
and hail him as thy matchless king
through all eternity.” ~Matthew Bridges (1851)
Where and when are we tempted to despair? Are we so consumed with the ills that take prominence in the world that we’re more prone to fear, anger, and negativity that trusting the King of kings?Lift our eyes! God alone is truly exalted!
What practices keep us from lifting high the Lord? What needs to be turned off, tuned out, or rejected altogether? How can we magnify Him this day?
“Rejoice, the Lord is King:
Your Lord and King adore!
Rejoice, give thanks and sing,
And triumph evermore.
Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
Jesus, the Savior, reigns,
The God of truth and love;
When He has purged our stains,
He took his seat above;
Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
His kingdom cannot fail,
He rules o’er earth and heav’n;
The keys of death and hell
Are to our Jesus giv’n:
Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
Rejoice in glorious hope!
Our Lord and judge shall come
And take His servants up
To their eternal home:
Lift up your heart,
Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!” ~Charles Wesley (1744)
Lord, keep me rejoicing in and trusting and exalting You as supreme Lord of all, forever.
As the rain and snow 