September 11

He Will Reign 

Today’s Scripture Readings: Psalm 103:6-19 | Isaiah 8:1-9:21 | 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 | Proverbs 23:4-5 

Today’s Scripture Focus: Isaiah 9 & Psalm 103 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. [7] Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever (Isaiah 9:6-7 NIV).

“The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.” Psalm 103:19

On the one-year anniversary of 9-11, I went with some friends to minister to the families of victims of the 9-11 tragedy. Most of the debris had been cleaned up, but the reminders of the tragedy were very evident all around. One of the most striking scenes was to see two intersecting pieces of steel, remaining in the form of a cross right in the middle of the gaping hole that was the World Trade Center.

One of the friends with me took a picture and later gave me a copy with these words written underneath: “When everything around us falls… the cross still stands.”

When our world seems to spin out of control, we must run back to this truth, that the Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. In the midst of tragedy, we must look forward to the day when Christ will return to right all the wrongs and to reign with the government on his shoulders. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.

Until that day, we live in a battle zone. Evil is very much a part of our reality. Yet God is still on the throne and he is still accomplishing his purposes, even in making good of tragedy (Romans 8:28). Yet all creation looks to the day Christ will return to rule and reign with justice and righteousness forever and ever.

“When everything around us falls…the cross still stands.”

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, we bow our knee to you and declare that you are Lord. We look forward to your return, the Kingdom in its fullness, and your righteous rule. Amen.