God is King

Yesterday we talked about an almost tender name for God - Abba.  Today it's almost the opposite - King.  Looking at the 29th Psalm helps us see just how powerful our King is.




 ³ The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
   the God of glory thunders,
   the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.
⁴ The voice of the LORD is powerful;
   the voice of the LORD is majestic.
⁵ The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars;
   the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.
⁶ He makes Lebanon leap like a calf,
   Sirion like a young wild ox.
⁷ The voice of the LORD strikes
   with flashes of lightning.
⁸ The voice of the LORD shakes the desert;
   the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh.
⁹ The voice of the LORD twists the oaks
   and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”
 ¹⁰ The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
   the LORD is enthroned as King forever.
¹¹ The LORD gives strength to his people;
   the LORD blesses his people with peace.

To me, this describes a most powerful king - one who fears nothing, controls everything, and whose mere presence in commanding and awe inspiring.

The gospel of John calls us "children of God."  Paul, in the the book of Romans, also refers to believers as children of God - in fact in 8:17 he says, "Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ."  Children of the King.  Heirs with Christ.

You know, to live a defeated life, as if we have no hope, no calling, no purpose, is to say that God is NOT King and we are NOT His children.  The Bible's either true or it's not, black or white.  He's either King or He's a liar.

I'm betting on King.  In fact, I'm betting my whole life on it.

And if He's King, and I'm His child, then I know I better live like it.  Interestingly, looking at the whole passage in Romans 8 combines yesterday and today:

"For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”  The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.  Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."  (Romans 8:14-17)

Our dad, our papa, our father - the king.  Being the king's children doesn't mean a problem-free life (verse 17b).  But it does mean that the powerful King, whose glory sounds like thunder, is with us, taking care of us, drawing us closer to Him.

Sounds like a pretty good king to me.