Whose Kingdom
Eagle, Sullivan Harbor, Maine
There he perched, King of the Birds, quietly surveying his wintry kingdom while sitting high atop an old dead tree on a little island in Sullivan Harbor. Majestic, magnificent, powerful, and properly feared. Not a gull was in sight! As I watched him, I was reminded of several Old Testament passages which beautifully and poetically reflect God’s sovereignty, justice, compassion, and the great hope that lies in knowing Him.
The Psalmist sang: “God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God.” (Psalm 53:2)”He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever. He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The LORD frees the prisoners. The LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are weighed down… The LORD will reign forever. “(Psalm 146:5-10 )
God lovingly looks down while we look up… Isaiah lifts our thoughts to God’s transcendence: “…Look up into the heavens. Who created all the stars? (God, the Holy One) brings them out like an army, one after another, calling each by its name. Because of his great power and incomparable strength, not a single one is missing… Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless….those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:22-31)
These descriptions speak powerfully about God’s passion and compassion for, and His presence with, His people. Although God is uniquely God, He is both Almighty God and our tender Father upon whom we depend and to whom we pray, “Our Father, Who art in heaven,…“ He is to be awed, but unlike the eagle, He is not remote from us. He is the source of purpose, spiritual strength, and satisfaction. “… joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the LORD their God. (Psalm 146:5)
He brings His forever Kingdom to us when we choose to live under His reign.
