The Lord Reigns

 

Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns; indeed, the world is firmly established [kun – fixed, steadfast], it will not be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity [righteously].”    Psalm 96:10

Scripture is clear that creation is the work of God, but what role does He play after creation is complete? Does He play an active role in the events of man or does He stand back and watch, with little to do with day-to-day details? The answer to these questions can determine the quality of the relationship man can have with his God. According to the psalmist above, Yahweh reigns or rules over a world that He firmly established by judging the people righteously. Colossians 1:17 tells us He is before all things [preexistent], and in Him, all things hold together [sunistemi – join together parts into a whole, keep in order]. In Hebrews 1:3, He upholds [pheroe – governs] all things by the word of His power. These verses are a testimony to the active role God plays in the affairs of man.

In Him

The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things; and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation, that they would seek God if perhaps they might grope [pselaphao -to feel for or after an object] for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and exist, as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we also are His children.'     Acts 17:24-28

While in Athens, Paul engaged with some of the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, who brought him to Mars Hill. There, Paul would explain to them what the Gospel was all about; he used the occasion to explain the strange deities he was preaching. In light of an altar to an Unknown God, Paul began teaching them about this God. The above passage utilizes the philosophers’ perspective to provide a foundation for the God of the Bible. He would determine their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation. According to Barnes Notes:   

Their limits and boundaries as a people. By customs, laws, inclinations, and habits He has fixed the boundaries of their habitations and disposed them to dwell there. We may learn:

(1) That the revolutions and changes of nations are under the direction of infinite wisdom.

(2) That people should not be restless and dissatisfied with the place where God has located                         them.

(3) That God has given sufficient limits to all so that it is not needful to invade others; and,

(4) That wars of conquest are evil. God has given to people their places of abode, and we have no right to disturb those abodes, or to attempt to displace them in a violent manner. This strain of remark by the apostle was also opposed to all the notions of the Epicurean philosophers, and yet so obviously true and just that they could not gainsay or resist it.

A Greater Zeus

Paul quotes from Epimenides, from the poem Minos and addresses Zeus as follows: 

They fashioned a tomb for you, holy and high one,
Cretans, always liars, evil beasts, idle bellies.
But you are not dead: you live and abide forever,
For in you we live and move and have our being. 

Many did not believe in Zeus’ immortality. Epimenides wrote that Zeus was not only immortal but was the source of life. Paul was comparing this perception of Zeus to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who does not dwell in temples made with hands; nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything. Man’s individual boundaries and habitations are ordained by God’s perfect plan to create a need for God, and therefore a desire to seek after Him. This seeking requires faith beyond the five senses if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us. This Verse creates the picture of a blind man recognizing the existence of God, but not being able to see Him, so he feels for or after Him. The conclusion of that search is to find the One in Whom we live and move and exist. 

The progression Paul speaks of begins with life “in Him.” This is terminology he uses more than 170 times in his letters, referring to the ordained relationship each true believer has in the person and work of Christ. In the process of seeking, he experiences a supernature life (zoe), the life of Christ which is offered as an exchange for natural life (Galatians 2:20). Embracing this zoe life causes him to be guided by the movement of Jesus and into His work, stepping outside of the work created by human agenda and energy. The end result is a new existence and a new identity in Christ. 

Seeking First the Kingdom 

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explains that the believer can count on God’s provisions for food, clothing, and shelter when he seeks first the kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:25-34). When placing one’s priorities on God’s kingdom and His righteousness over his individual interests, one is acknowledging the Lord’s kingship and holiness. In Matthew 13:44, Jesus teaches that the issue comes down to where one’s treasure is. "The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” A willingness to die to personal interests for the sake of this new life connects the righteous one to the life of the Son of God. In Galatians 2:20, the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Faith in His Son defines that new life. 

There is a Jewish teaching that talks about two shapes — the circle and the line. The circle represents our physical existence. This is why the earth was created round. However, if we live simply on the earthly level, we will go around and around the circle, but never get anywhere. This is the life where we wake up and go through the daily routine — and repeat it again and again and again. This is a life devoid of meaning. We age, but we don’t change. We go through time, but we don’t grow with time.

The line, however, is symbolic of progression and connection. As we grow, we come closer to God. This is why human beings were created in the form of a line. Sure, we may have elements that are circular, and indeed, our lives require physical cycles and routines, but our overall form, from top to bottom, is a line. This teaches us that while we live in the circle of the earth, our job is to grow up and out like a line. We can, and must, live a meaningful life growing closer to what is beyond the earth – to God.

Judging Righteously 

We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks, for Your name is near; men declare Your wondrous works. “When I select an appointed time, it is I who judge with equity [rightness]. “The earth and all who dwell in it melt; it is I who have firmly set [takan – weighing to establish] its pillars. Selah. “I said to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’ and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up the horn; Do not lift up your horn [strength] on high, do not speak with insolent pride.’” For not from the east, nor from the west, nor from the desert comes exaltation, But God is the Judge; He puts down one and exalts another. For a cup is in the hand of the Lord, and the wine foams; it is well mixed, and He pours out of this; surely all the wicked of the earth must drain and drink down its dregs. But as for me, I will declare it forever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob. And all the horns of the wicked He will cut off, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.            Psalm 75

Psalm 75 is written by Asaph and refers to the Lord as Ruler among the nations, asserting that He will in due time take vengeance on those who are in rebellion against him. It speaks of pillars on which the earth is established, with a judge who sets things in their proper order according to His righteousness and justice. He identifies the boastful and those who rely on their own strength, resulting in pride. He speaks of a cup of wine that foams and is well-mixed, a reference to His judgment and a cup of wrath (see Psalm 60:3). He upholds the world through His attention to both the righteous and the wicked.   

According to Hebrews 11:3, By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared [katartizoe – establish, arrange, set in order] by the word [rhema – that which is spoken] of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. It speaks of the critical role played by His Word in keeping things in their proper order. Our success is dependent upon our life of faith in Him.