Psalm 103:19 The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

I have read Psalm 103 repeatedly through the years and even memorized some of the verses. I have read them in praise of God and realized the many ways in which God is pleased to bless his children. It is a great comfort to read that he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. Interesting word! Since I used to think sin was sin I once asked the Holy Spirit what are iniquities. His simple answer was “hidden sins.”  In other words the wrong things we do that we think no one knows about, not even God. Ouch!

Anyway, back to the Psalm. The greatness of God’s love for us is compared to the height from earth to heaven and his willingness to forgive as the distance between east and west. Then it tells us that just as a natural father has compassion for his children, God takes pity on his children because he knows all about our makeup and that we are dust. I can’t read this Psalm without feeling very loved and cared for by a good Father, and this love extends to my children. Wow!

The last few verses of this Psalm magnify God in amazing ways. Verse 19 just leaped off the page at me: “The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.” A reminder that no matter what is going on in this crazy world, God has not abdicated. And the Holy Spirit confirmed it immediately:

“So it is. I do reign and I have not abdicated. As I have decreed in my Word so shall it be. I have not handed over the reins of time or eternity to mere men. I set up kingdoms so that my will may be done. I have set the time and I keep watch from my throne. Those who do my will, I will uphold and those who will not submit, I bring down in due time. I am not a God who does not love the earth I created and the people who live in it but I do require that they acknowledge me to be God. My arms are outstretched for a repentant people. I will pardon and lift them up if only they will turn to me.”