He Rules the World!

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it…

“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.  But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-5,9-14

“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:8-11

“Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.” Revelation 1:4-5

Jesus Christ, present in the beginning, eternal Son of the Father, rules. Setting aside glory, He condescended to earth to die that we might live, then was exalted once again to the highest place to reign. King of kings, Lord of lords, His throne cannot be shaken. There is no power above or beside the living Christ. (Ephesians 1:20-23; Revelation 19:16)

The ravages of earth since the fall and curse are a stark contrast to and welcome setting for the coming of Christ. Thorns and sorrows are our plight, toil and frustration and pain seem to rule the days. Until the King comes. Jesus brings salvation, joy, blessings abundant. He rules with truth and grace that penetrate the darkness and lies, betrayal and hurt and anxieties, to offer substantial hope and peace. (Genesis 3:1-6,17-19)

Would we prepare Him room? What grudges, discontent, resentments can we release to His cleansing? What fears and longings can we entrust to His care and authority? What evidence will we show a dark world of His righteous, loving, steadfast reign?

“Joy to the world; the Lord is come;
Let Earth receive her King;
Let ev’ry heart prepare him room,
And heav’n and nature sing.

Joy to the Earth, the Savior reigns;
Our mortal songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains,
Repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness,
And wonders of his love.” ~Isaac Watts (1719)

Lord, help me joyfully, gratefully welcome and proclaim Your reign.