Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth. (1Ch 16:31 KJV)

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. (Mat 6:13 KJV)

After last nights calamity at the State of the nations address it became clear that there are people out there, who are not happy with the current reign of the president. No question. It’s not just the men and women in red overalls, but rather some in stiff suits and traditional garb too. Opposition is one of the those things, which make any democracy vibrant and autocracies have always tended to become tyrannical and despotic. Dissidents land up in dungeons and other dark and barren places, but that doesn’t really win them over either. Rather their resolve for opposition and revolt becomes even more virulent and catches on throughout the land. It’s happened before and I’m sure it could happen again.

In our bible reading for today the psalmist encourages the cosmos – all creation visible and invisible to rejoice in the rule and reign of the living God: “Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice: and let men say among the nations, The LORD reigneth.” (1Ch 16:31 KJV) It is he, who created heaven and earth, who sustains and preserves his very good creation, so that we would have a safe and peaceful abode, where righteousness thrives and justice flourishes. Although opposition came up in heaven too – the devil is a fallen angel after all – and even Adam and Eve did not wait long to cast doubt on their perfect and immaculate relationship with their God and maker – the triune God still did not destroy the world as he had threatened to do, if they would transgress his holy command and doubt his good intent. Rather out of pure goodness and fatherly mercy and favour, he keeps and sustains us, grants us his only begotten Son and reopens paradise for us and our salvation.

He, who is God of all and who has all authority in heaven and on earth, rules for our benefit. He lets all and everything work out to our best – even in suffering, strive and conflict.  Now Jesus Christ our Lord, who “ascended into heaven, is sitting at the right hand of God in order to rule and reign forever over all creatures, so that through the Holy Spirit he may make holy, purify, strengthen, and comfort all who believe in him, also distribute to them life and various gifts and benefits, and shield and protect them against the devil and sin.” (CA III,40)

To this we say wholeheartedly “Amen”. We don’t put our trust in princes or any other man, women or creation, but rather only in the living God, who alone is worthy of wholehearted praise and worship. Him we obey, adore and believe in. That is why we invite all to join with us to sing to the true king and Lord: Oh, Worship the King

Oh, worship the King, all glorious above.
Oh, gratefully sing his power and his love;
Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
Pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise.

Oh, tell of his might; oh, sing of his grace,
Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space;
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form,
And dark is his path on the wings of the storm.

The earth with its store of wonders untold,
Almighty, your power has founded of old,
Established it fast by a changeless decree,
And round it has cast, like a mantle, the sea.

Your bountiful care what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light,
It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain
And sweetly distills in the dew and the rain.

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
In you do we trust, nor find you to fail;
Your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end,
Our maker, defender, redeemer, and friend!

O measureless Might, ineffable Love,
While angels delight to hymn you above.
The humbler creation, though feeble their lays,
With true adoration shall sing to your praise.

Author: Robert Grant (1779-1838)