Tues., 8/20/19 Devotion (Jer. 49:38a)

Today's encouragement comes from Jeremiah 49:38a, where we read these words:

"I [the Lord] will set My throne in Elam . . . "

What a strange place for God to "set [His] throne”—Elam, an ancient pagan power east of Babylon. This is a good reminder of the fact that nothing is out-side of King Jesus’ realm and sovereignty: He is Lord and Ruler everywhere—in heaven, and on earth. No devil, no sinners, no evil can overthrow or overcome Him. Our God remains on His throne at all times, in every situation.

Having said that, it is true that there is a "positive" reign of Christ (in His church), and a "negative" reign of Christ (in His judgment of wickedness). The same Sovereign is in control—it is just that in one case God grants forgive-ness and imputed righteousness (in Christ); and in the other case He exer-cises His prerogative as a Just Judge (in condemnation).

[Puritan quote of the day: "When a man is shaken in his own righteousness, then he sees the emptiness and the lying disposition of it.” —William Bridge, in, "A Lifting Up for the Downcast"]