285. God will Rule
Ezekiel 20:33 As I live, saith the Lord God, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you.
All sinners react against this promise, because we desire to rule our own lives; we want to be like God. Who runs our lives? Do I run my own life or does the authority? This is a vital part of the First Sin of Adam and Eve. They wanted to rule their own lives and make their own decisions about what is good or evil; and every person, from childhood forward, chafes under authority; we want to grow up and be our own boss. Even more, most people want the power to rule over others, for our own advantage.
So why do we consider this a good promise, that “I will rule over you?” It is because the basic hope is that someone with power will protect me and take care of me. It is work to make my own decisions and be responsible for my life. If the authority protects, preserves and provides for me and my welfare, then that would be a good thing; I can be content with that if I could ever find such a benevolent king or ruler. I am willing to submit to a good and kind ruler if I really knew that ruler had my best interests at heart.
Every sinner needs to learn that God is Good. This is what the Bible is for, to reveal to us what our problem is and what kind of God rules. The Spirit, through the Word and using the experiences of life, teaches us that God is Good, that He is Love, and I can safely submit everything to Him. I trust Him, I believe in Him, I submit to Him, I love Him because I know His nature and character. I see it clearly on the cross. The Gospel tells me who God is and what He has done for me. Faith means I willingly give up the control of my life and my eternity to this good and gracious God. I hear the Law to convict me that my way, my own rule, is not good. I hear the Gospel to convince me that God’s way, His rule, is good. Therefore, this is a good promise. I rejoice in the reign of God; I gladly enter His kingdom. The Spirit shows me Jesus; Jesus shows me a good God. He rules over me, and that is a good thing.
It is good news that God rules His Kingdom with a mightY hand, a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out. At first glance it may not sound so good, but it truly is when we realize how God the King uses His Power: He exercises His Power and Fury against my Enemies, sin, death and the devil. The Lord defeats everything that fights against my life, health and wellbeing, and I am saved for His Rule. The Kingdom will win. I want to get in it now, and I do by faith in Jesus. I begin to realize that “wanting my own way” is submitting to Evil. Wanting God’s way is submitting to Good. Our Lord reigns! Hallelujah!