TEXT: PSALM 97:1
''The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof'' (KJV)
''Yahweh is the king! I want everyone on the earth to be glad/happy, and the people who live on the islands in the oceans to also rejoice about that!'' (T4T)
A living and lively believe in the sovereignty and dominion of God over all the universe, shows itself in constant joy whatever may betide a saint. Those who believe not that God is king over all the earth, would never know what is true joy. He who has seen God sitting on the throne, waving His sceptre over all creatures, enters into a state of constant joy: no storm, but he believes God rules over it. He is convinced that all events, changes and alterations are under the ordering of God. He sees no other power apart from the power of God: let the sea and the waves beat upon his vessel, he would not fear, knowing and maintaining that the ocean cannot swallow the ship where the master of ocean and sky lies! Who is he that says a thing and it comes to pass, when the King of kings approves it not? A believer unsaints himself if any earth-born discomfort is allowed to play a thief on his joy. The new creation's man's joy should be as constant as the throne of God; as long as the crown is still His, and the sceptre in His hand, the saints have no choice but to ever rejoice! To despair and sink into despondency, speaks weakness of our knowledge of God's dominion over the earth. Friends, how can you profess that you recognise God as sovereign of the universe, when joy abides not in your heart all the day long? Can a prince be sad when he knows that his father is a king? The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof! Saints, be glad, for He who rules in all the earth, is your God, who purchased you with His own blood. That saint act a beast, if he imagines that God would leave him comfortless; being the prize of His blood, yes, the very crown on the head of His mercy!