Mensa Otabil - God Rules (10/07/2025)
Psalm 10, verse 16: The Lord is King forever and ever; the nations have perished out of His land. I like how the psalmist progresses in prayer and in faith. When we start praying, sometimes we begin with the question, «Why me, Lord? Why, Lord? Why is this happening, Lord?» But you don’t end your prayer with «Why me, Lord?» This is the important lesson I want you to learn from the psalms as you observe God’s people in prayer. The psalmist starts by questioning his situation, wondering whether God is involved in it, but as he progresses, he becomes strong in faith and bold in his assertions. In verse 16, we see a bold declaration about who God is-that God is King forever. That is the first statement he makes: God is King.
Now, remember that in the earlier part of the psalm, the wicked person claims there is no God, that God has abandoned His people, and that God will not act. The person praying might even believe it, which is why he says, «Lord, why are You standing afar off?» But now he declares, «God, You are King.» He affirms that God is not dead; He is active and alive in his life. What he says encourages all of us to pray and helps us understand that God rules in the lives of His people. He is King and directs the affairs of our lives. Never think that He is standing far off, unconcerned, or uninvolved. He rules in your life.
Not only does He rule in the lives of His people, but He also governs the plans of the wicked. The wicked may plan all they want, but they are not all-powerful and not the ultimate authority. They are not the beginning and the end of everything. God rules over the plans of the wicked; He can scatter their schemes, and He does scatter them. God is King. He rules in the lives of His people, over the plans of the wicked, and in the events of our world.
Sometimes, when you look at world history, it may seem as if God is absent, that nations and people are doing as they please. Yet, God rules in the events of this world and in the moments of our lives. God uses everything happening around us to work out His purposes. He makes all things work together for the good of those who are called according to His purpose. You must understand that God can take what was meant for evil against you and turn it to your good. He can take a pit meant for you and fill it with water, converting it into a lake or pond for your water supply. God is able to transform what was set against you into your advantage because He rules over the events of our world, over the plans of the wicked, and in the lives of His people. God rules forever and ever. The Lord is King forever and ever.
God’s rule does not end. Evil may rule for a season, and every evil work has an expiry date, but for the work of God, there is no expiry date because He rules forever and ever. Today, evil may stand, but tomorrow, it will fall. When God stands, He stands forever. Never look at evil and think, «Oh, it’s going to last forever.» No, the only one who stands forever is Jehovah God Almighty.
Let us pray. Say with me, «Heavenly Father, use everything I am going through to work out Your purposes for my life. In Jesus' name, Amen and Amen.» I will catch you again tomorrow. I’m Pastor Mensa Otabil. Shalom, peace, and life to you.