June 15, 2004

THE LORD STRONG AND MIGHTY

"Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle" (Psalm 24:8, NKJV).

At Christ's ascension the inhabitants of heaven welcomed back their beloved Commander-in-Chief as "the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle (Psalm 24:8, NKJV).

What a deserving tribute to the world's mighty Redeemer and Lord! In everything, Jesus is strong and mighty. He is strong and mighty as Creator and sustainer of all things. He is strong and mighty as Redeemer and Lord. Jesus is declared to be strong to deliver and mighty to save (see Isaiah 63:1). As the strong and mighty one, Jesus came to earth, confronted the devil on his own territory, and soundly defeated him in every encounter.

His extraordinary life of purity, His amazing miracles, His complete victory over death and the grave, and the transforming power of His message--all proclaim that Jesus is indisputably the Lord strong and mighty. No one but He could declare, "I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades" (Revelation 1:18, NIV).

Here is a moving picture of our mighty Lord: "Christ's ascension to heaven, amid a cloud of heavenly angels, glorified Him... The angels at the gates respond in lofty strain, 'Who is this King of glory?' And from thousands and ten thousands of voices the answer comes: 'The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.' "--Signs of the Times, May 10, 1899.

My Prayer Today: Lord, because You are strong and mighty, I claim Your strength to live victoriously. Amen.