Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations
I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46.10
What do Genghis Khan, Napoleon, Stalin, Hitler, Mao Zedong, Pol Pot, and Idi Amin have in common? They were rulers of countries or vast empires who used military action to gain and maintain their position of power. They either gained or expanded their position at the expense of people and nations around them. Millions of people were enslaved, tortured, or killed as each of these leaders flexed their tyrannical muscles.
Now think about the ruler of the universe, the Triune God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. He does not reign in the same manner. Instead of coercion, torture, cruelty, and execution, God reigns in stillness. He seeks to reign in our hearts and bring us peace. He is exalted throughout the world in quietness.
God Reigns Differently
Unlike other rulers who use fear and manipulation, God’s presence in our lives doesn’t come at the expense of others. Instead, it came at His own expense. He didn’t demand people pay with their lives in order to validate His right to rule. Rather, God sacrificed His one and only Son, His very self, in order that we might not only know Him as ruler of the universe, but as benevolent and loving Father.
As a loving Father, God does not demand, He invites and waits for us to respond. He doesn’t give up, but pursues us with love, mercy and compassion. A read through the Old Testament will confirm this. Over and over and over God called His people to trust Him and follow Him. And over and over and over they turned their backs and followed other tyrannical leaders or impotent idols. That did not stop God from calling them yet again.
God does not change. He continues to pursue us even when we turn our backs on Him. God reigns like no other and longs to speak blessing and hope into your heart.