PSALMS

         "The Lord has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all"  Psalm 103:19  NIV)

photo from: mercyandgrace,net

     The book of Psalms, large as it is, has no "3:16".  Psalms is a large collection of songs to God; many of them even have directions to the music leader; yes, they were meant to be sung.  Some of the psalms are songs of praise, worship, and thanksgiving.  Others are expressions of despair or fear. Still others describe the attributes of God.  In all the Psalms we recognize our thoughts and needs as children of God.
     For this little lesson, I chose an unusual psalm... It's not very flowery or poetic...  It doesn't paint a word picture such as we might get with the 23rd Psalm... But, I chose it because it gives the concise message: God Is In Control.  God has absolute power.  He is the ruler over all people,  the coordinator of all the events in the universe.  HE  IS  SOVEREIGN.
     Sovereign = deserving our utmost reverence and honor. He is in control.  He rules over everything that happens in your life.  Have you put the proper emphasis on His power and His knowledge?  Or, are you trying to hold back certain parts of your life?
  

photo from:  reference.findtarget.com

   That reminds me of a story I read many years ago in a history book; I don't remember what book, and I'm not sure whether or not it was fact, but it sounded like human behavior to me:   When Christianity first came to Europe, military leaders took their armies to rivers for mass baptisms before battle.  Some of the soldiers submerged themselves in the river, but held their right hands up out of the water.  Their rationale was that the soul would be baptized, but the right hand could keep on fighting in battle - just like before the baptism.
     This was wrong-thinking on a couple of levels.  Truth be known, if one examines the scriptures,  it is not wrong to fight in battle... But that's another topic for another day.  In their ignorance of that fact, the soldiers were trying to "get one over on God".  The reader might, at first glance, think this is a pitiful act... But, is our behavior so different from that of the soldiers?  Do we claim to be wholly committed to God, but somehow "forget" to commit our bankbook?  Or, do we hold back certain selfish behaviors, not even allowing for the idea that God could help us improve them?  Why do we hold back from the God Who knows all, created all, and rules all?  He is sovereign.
  

      Sovereign.  Through the years there have been many gold coins called sovereigns.  As we know, coins have two sides.  God has another side, too.  We have looked at His power.  But, now if we will look at "the other side of the coin", we find this wonderful, gentle Father with His arms wide open.  Waiting to hold us, adopt us, forgive us, redeem us, love us.  This offer of Supreme Love is part of his sovereign plan, too:
      

 

Hubble photograph, from the book, "Universe"

 "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.  He telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names."    (Psalm 47: 3,4   KJV)

     The same God Who watches over you, takes care of the universe.  Isn't that awesome?  Invite Him to be truly sovereign in your life.