"God Is Still on the Throne"

 

“God Is Still on the Throne”

 

This past August Karen and I went on a twice-postponed-due-to-COVID Danube River cruise through five countries. Beginning at Prague, Czech Republic and ending at Budapest, Hungary (although the actual sailing was shortened at each end due to the river’s shallowness) we saw many historical cities, towns and landmarks. The only problem was, as with previous cruises, the need to shed a few pounds caused by our overindulgence at mealtimes.

We spent three days in Prague before boarding the ship. We learned on a couple of excursions that the city was heavily involved in the Nazi Resistance Movement during World War II. Interestingly, though, many of the Jewish community’s buildings and symbols were preserved. Why? Because the Nazis were so sure that the Third Reich (which Hitler boasted would last 1000 years but only fell 988 years short) would exterminate the world’s Jews that they planned to use the materials in a “Museum of an Extinct People”. When I heard this I thought of David’s words: “The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One…The One enthroned in heaven laughs, the Lord scoffs at them.” (Psalm 2:2,4) and “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” (Psalm 24:1, emphasis added).

Throughout history nations and rulers have sought to obliterate the Jewish people. In addition to the Nazi efforts these include the Assyrians under Sennacherib around 710 BC (Isaiah 38), Babylon led by Nebuchadnezzar and his grandson Belshazzar about 538 BC (Daniel 5) and the Persian official Haman in 510 BC (Esther 3:1-6; 7:9-10). How can we account for a tiny Middle East nation surrounded by bitter enemies committed to its total annihilation being still alive, well and prospering? It goes back to God’s promise to their ancestor Abraham: “The whole land of Canaan…I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.”(Genesis 17:8, emphasis added). And He’ll keep His word because (in the words of an old men’s quartet song by Kittie Louise Suffield), “His promise is true, He will not forget you, God is still on the throne.”

By God’s grace Jesus also declared that “…I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (Matthew 16:18, emphasis added). And as part of this great company by our faith in Him He’s said to us, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5, emphasis added).

God’s on the throne of the universe—is He on the throne of your life?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan