How May Our Belief of God's Governing the World Support Us in All Worldly Distractions
Psalm 97:1-12
The LORD reigns; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.…


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I. WHAT IS GOVERNMENT? It is the exerting or putting forth of that power which any one is justly clothed with, for the ordering and directing of persons and things to their right and proper ends.

1. In all government there is an end fixed and aimed at; which end is either supreme and ultimate, or inferior and subordinate.

(1) The supreme and ultimate end is, and ought and deserves to be, the glory of God, the exalting of His name, the preserving, securing, and enlarging of His interest, the maintaining and promoting of religion and godliness.

(2) The inferior and subordinate end is the good of the communities, the happiness and welfare of the whole country, the peace, comfort, and prosperity of all the people, over whom governors are set.

2. In all government there is supposed a power sufficient for the ordering of things unto these ends. Not only natural power, but also moral authority, lawfully come by; for, without that, there can be no just, right, and good government.

3. In government this power is reduced into act: there is a prudent, seasonable exerting and putting forth of the power in order to the attaining of these ends.

II. PROVE THAT GOD GOVERNS THE WORLD.

1. The light of nature has discovered this. Even some among the heathen call God "the Rector and Keeper of the world," "the Soul arid Spirit of the world," and do expressly compare Him to the soul in the body, and to the master in a ship, who doth command, rule, direct, steer, and turn it what way and to what port He Himself thinks good.

2. Scripture is full of testimony to this effect (Job 5:9-13; Isaiah 14:5-7; Psalm 34:16, 17; Ephesians 1:11; Daniel 4:34, 35; Matthew 10:29; Psalm 103:19).

3. God has a most unquestionable right to order and govern the world.

4. For God to govern the world is no dishonour to Him. Is it possible that His doing so should render Him cheap to the children of men? Nay, is it not enough to commend Him to all wise and thinking persons, that He is so great a God as that He can extend His care to so many millions of objects, and so graciously condescending as to look after the lowest of the works of His hands?

5. God is abundant in mercy and goodness. He built this huge and stately fabric, and He furnished it with all its inhabitants, from the highest and most glorious angel to the meanest and most contemptible insect. And how can we possibly think otherwise, but that the pity and love which He hath for the works of His own hands will draw out His wisdom and power and care for the ruling and directing of them?

III. HOW OUR BELIEF OF GOD'S GOVERNING THE WORLD MAY SUPPORT US IN ALL WORLDLY DISTRACTIONS.

1. God is most fit and accomplished for this great work. Men have unruly passions; they interfere in their several interests, and, while they are carrying them on, quarrel and jostle one another: and who but God can order all, and direct them to most noble and excellent ends? Who but God can take these several scattered shreds, and unite them together in one curious and amiable piece of workmanship? Who but God can take these jarring discords, and turn them into an admirable and delightful harmony?

2. Consider the extent of God's governing providence. It reaches to —

(1)  All creatures.

(2)  All motions and actions.

(3)  All issues and results of things both good and evil.

3. The properties of God's government. He governs the world —

(1)  Mysteriously.

(2)  Wisely.

(3)  Powerfully.

(4)  Most righteously.

(S. Slater, M.A.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.

WEB: Yahweh reigns! Let the earth rejoice! Let the multitude of islands be glad!




The Lord Reigneth
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