This is the oft-repeated declaration of Scripture. This was the lesson that proud Nebuchadnezzar had to learn. Daniel in interpreting his dream said: “Seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever he will.” Dan. 4:25. After many deep and trying experiences Nebuchadnezzar’s final confession concerning the most High was: “He doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?” Dan. 4:35.
This is the lesson that proud sinners must learn and fearing saints too; the one for their terror, the other for their comfort. How little do sinners understand of the power and greatness and glory of that God against whom they rebel. “The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty: the Lord is clothed with strength, wherewith he hath girded himself.” Psalm 93:1. How foolish would sinners appear in their own eyes if only they realised the unequallness of the struggle as they pit themselves in their obstinate rebellion in the ways of sin against the Majesty of Heaven. That the Lord can crush them as a moth is little regarded by them until, in the case of some, on the near approach of death God sends some thunderbolts of conviction into their conscience as forerunners of the thunderbolts and lightnings of His wrath awaiting them in a lost eternity. That God reigns — and ever shall reign — is a truth that sinners would do well to lay to heart while there is still time for repentance. Let sinners take heed to the warnings of God in His Word and flee from the wrath to come. “The Lord reigneth; let the people tremble: : he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved.” Psalm 99:1.
How ready the people of God are to forget that their God reigns. What encouragement it would afford the weak, tried believer to remember that his or her God reigns; that He is seated upon the Throne of His glory; that He sits King for ever. What fear and dread can the power of the world and Satan instill in their hearts. Their conflict with these powers seems unequal, the weight appearing to be on the side of their enemies. What straits believers can come into. What deep waters threatening at times to overflow them. “The floods have lifted up, O Lord, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods have lifted up their waves.” Psalm 93:3. What comfort, then, in such a situation to realise that “the Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.” Psalm 93:4.
May we live in daily contemplation of this great truth that the Lord reigns. May we be enabled by faith to lay hold of it and walk humbly before Him before whom “all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing” and who “doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth.” To live thus is to live safely “under the shadow of the wings of the almighty” and to live comfortably as children of the Highest.