Meet the One Who is Reigning and Sustaining

Praise to the Lord Who over all things
   So wondrously reigneth
Shelters thee under His wings
  Yea so gently sustaineth
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty
By: Joachim Neander 1680, trans. Catherine Winkworth 1863

Listen to this modern version of this majestic hymn as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.

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Please enjoy this video and the transcript below.

Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.

As we continue our journey through this hymn ask the Holy Spirit to help you receive and then issue this call to worship. Be sure to find your place in the praise. Let’s tune our hearts.

Wonderful Rule

The way God rules over all should create a wonder in our hearts and minds. What is it about His rule that is so wonderful? Wonderful is a mingling of surprise and admiration.

What is wonderful about the way God rules is the mixture of the greatest by which He is over all and the personal way which He reveals that to us. Granted, not everyone who grasps that greatness of God comes to understand this on a personal level, but for those who do the first and most genuine response is likely and often…wonder.

Praise to the Lord Who over all things
   So wondrously reigneth

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all. 1 Chronicles 29:11 ESV

We praise God because He is the sovereign, providential King reigning over all things. He owns them all and wondrously displays His authority and care as our benevolent Ruler. Give Him praise!

Rightful Response

That great and all, but we must find a way to experience it on a personal level. Otherwise , it does not really change us. The wonder is generated through an intimate knowledge of God, and that a gift from Him.

How is God reigning over your life today? How are you aware of His providence and care for you? Maybe you are looking for what you do not yet have instead of focusing on all the things you do, all the things He has provided. Take a moment and consider recount just a few.

RESONATE! 
Take a few moments and consider all the ways God has revealed Himself to you. He is reigning over you right now. Make this your simple prayer “Lord, I recount your provision for me.” 

Sustaining Shelter

Have you ever needed shelter? I was once on a long hike with my boys as a storm approached. We were about halfway along the trail when the clouds opened up. The path became a stream and we had no choice but to finish.

We climbed into the van drenched, even dripping. Though we created a lasting memory, we were thankful for have found shelter from the storm, like snuggling under the feathers of a wing. It was not possible to be any more wet than we were, but we still were glad for the respite.

Wings of Refuge

God provides that shelter in the midst of the storm. Sometimes we are aware, but often we are not. Our awareness does not change the reality of God’s sustaining shelter.

Shelters thee under His wings
   Yea so gently sustaineth

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. Psalm 57:1 ESV

The writer contrasts the powerful image of God ruling and reigning over all to a gentle one of incredible, intimate care. God shows His mercy to us by offering protection and sustenance when things are threatening to destroy. Recall the last time you snuggled in such a sweet spot.

One of the kindest expressions of His love for us is keeping us safe when trouble comes. Sometimes we have invited it and other times we have not, yet when we draw near to God we experience the tenderness of His sustaining shelter. My boy and I were thankful for the shelter of our van. Thank God for the shelter He provides to you.

RESONATE
Take a few moments and think about the shelter God has been for you. He gently sustains us by His grace more often than we realize. Pray this simple prayer, “Father, thank You for Your sustaining shelter.“  

Jesus, thank You for Your good work in me that prompts my praise. Every bit of it reminds me of the power at work in making me, and remaking me. I am humbled by that work, and the opportunity to echo the praise that is due Your name alone. In Jesus’ name. 

Reverent Tuning!

Keep coming back, and we will work to help you remove the things that may hinder your longing for His return by cultivating an awareness of God’s presence. We will help you tune your heart to live out your worship by providing resources like this to help you acknowledge the greatness of God as you become more Resonant, 7 days a week.

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Video 54.2 Transcript

Welcome to Tuesday Tunings at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s tune our hearts.

Praise to the Lord Who over all things
   So wondrously reigneth
Shelters thee under His wings
  Yea so gently sustaineth
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

How is God reigning over your life today? How are you aware of His providence and care for you? Maybe you are looking for what you do not yet have instead of focusing on all the things you do, all the things He has provided. Take a moment and consider recount just a few.

Lord, I recount your provision for me.

One of the kindest expressions of His love for us is keeping us safe when trouble comes. Sometimes we have invited it and other times we have not, yet when we draw near to God we experience the tenderness of His sustaining shelter. Recall the last time you experienced it and thank Him.

Father, thank You for Your sustaining shelter.

Have you seen God grant your every desire? No? What do you imagine the issue might be? Is God stingy? Maybe He is incapable of providing for some of our desires. Sounds ridiculous if He truly is Ruler over all things, right? So maybe He isn’t. Or maybe the issue is my desires. 

Spirit, help me desire the things You want for me.

If aligning our desires with God’s is really the issue, and it is, then how do we even begin to make the necessary adjustment? Can we even desire different things or are we just broken? Yes we can and yes we are, but God’s will is to help us desire better by finding rest in His provision.

Jesus, change my desires by changing me.

Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has surfaced in your heart, or just listen to what He is saying to you, then we will sing once more.

Praise to the Lord Who over all things
   So wondrously reigneth
Shelters thee under His wings
  Yea so gently sustaineth
Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

Take the awareness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond.  Until next time, Be Resonant.

The post Meet the One Who is Reigning and Sustaining appeared first on Resonant 7.

Image Attribution
Praise to the Lord Who over all things
  So wondrously reigneth – https://pixabay.com/photos/crown-gold-royal-luxury-golden-2661334/
Shelters thee under His wings
  Yea so gently sustaineth – https://pixabay.com/photos/blue-feather-bird-macaw-background-6959585/