He is Lord!

The Names of God

         He is Lord!

              "I am the Lord your God...." Psalm 81:10

Jesus Christ is Lord, and He reigns supreme over all! Whether we acknowledge this truth or not -- and most will not -- He remains the almighty, invincible Ruler of the universe.

It doesn't matter that the "wise in this age" invent alternative answers to the origin of life. God is still the "Lord of heaven and earth" -- our eternal Maker and Provider who "gives to all life, breath, and all things." Acts 17:24-25

Public schools may ban His truth and outlaw prayer, but they can't change His reality. The Lord, who made the earth and all its creatures, continues to guard, sustain and use all things for His own eternal purposes.

"For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist." Colossians 1:15-17

The media may deny His existence and mock His loving presence with those who trust Him, yet the truth still remains: “In Him we live and move and have our being." Acts 17:28

Postmodern church managers may try to reinvent both God and His gospel, but they can't touch our eternal, unchanging Lord or His timeless truths. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End," says the Lord, "who is and who was and who is to come." Revelation 1:8

When He comes again -- which He surely will -- He will deal with "all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” Jude 14-15 Many are laughing now, but they won't when they face His justice. “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again,

“The Lord will judge His people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Hebrews 10:30-31

Even so, the world's proud leaders continue their age-old battle against this glorious Lord of heaven and earth. Like former kings and nations, they have redefined God, outlawed His truths and set standards that would conform our beliefs to their contrary visions. Yet, even in our changing times, "there is nothing new under the sun," and the question raised by the psalmist about 3000 years ago is as relevant now as then:

"Why do the nations rage and the people plot a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves and the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
'Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us.”

"He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,

And distress them in His deep displeasure." Psalm 2:1-4

Skeptics have always wanted to conform the Lord to their visions of benevolent deities. But our mighty Lord is not like Santa Claus, fairy godmothers, the world's "helpful spirits" or the New Age angels that dish out favors to blinded followers. He doesn't tolerate sin, nor does He excuse our lukewarm faith or growing acceptance of religious synthesis. Fellowship between good and evil, truth and myth, or God and idols is incompatible with His kingdom.

"I am the Lord," He reminds us, "that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another." Isaiah 42:8 He calls us to faith and purity, not compromise or unbiblical unity.

“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth," says our Lord. "I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ ... And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it." Matthew 10:34-39

This message may never be heard in today's feel-good seeker churches. God's Word has always offended those who prefer to pave their own way -- or to walk the wide, popular highways of the masses. That's why Biblical Christianity remains intolerable to the world. Those who trust Jesus as their Lord can expect rejection, not popularity:

"From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more. Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?” But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” John 6:64-69

Like Peter, we must follow Christ, our Lord. Where else would we go? He alone is our hope, our sufficiency, our fountain of wisdom, our source strength, our very life -- both now and forever!

No wonder Paul's heart cried out in prayer and exultation,

"God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. " Galatians 6:14

"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out! 'For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has become His counselor? Or who has first given to Him and it shall be repaid to him?' For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever." Romans 11:33-36

     Precious and wonderful Lord, we surrender our lives to Your sovereign will and keeping. We give You back our hearts and will, our time and talents... all that we are and have. Only You, our glorious Lord and Maker, know how we can best honor You and conform to Your purpose for our lives. So fill us "with the knowledge of [Your] will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding," so that we may "walk worthy" of Your greatness and glory -- blessing others through the grace You have showered on us. Thank You, dearest Lord.

References: Eternity

Psalm 50:21; Jeremiah 2:13; Ecclesiastes 1:8; John 14:20-21;

1 Co 3:18-23; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Colossians 1:9-18;

2 Peter 3:17-18; Revelation 11:15, 17:14, 19:16

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