I Timothy 1:17
Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Isaac Watts wrote “Jesus Shall Reign” in 1719, which he based on Psalm 72. It has since been called “the first missionary hymn,” and continues to encourage believers that our God is indeed King. One example of this hymn from each of the three centuries since it was written will be given:
In 1862, 5,000 Tongans sang it as a joyous testimony to the fact that Christ’s reign had reached even them – former cannibals who had lived in darkness for centuries.
In 1925, Eric Liddell, the famous Olympic gold medalist who would not run on Sunday, left Scotland to be a missionary to China. As his train was about to depart, the crowd who had come to see him off asked for a speech. “Christ for the world, for the world needs Christ,” Eric said, and then led them in singing “Jesus Shall Reign.” Eighteen years later, he died from an inoperable brain tumor while at the Weixian Internment Camp, his last words still reflecting Jesus’ kingship: “It’s complete surrender.”
On Sunday, February 25, 2018, over 1,000,000 people from 77 countries sang “Jesus Shall Reign” as a reminder to focus on reaching the world for Christ.
Let us today be encouraged by the fact that Jesus shall, indeed, reign over all, just as Psalm 2, Philippians 2, and many other Scriptures declare. No political, religious, economic, or satanic forces can stop the Father’s ultimate agenda from being enacted. It is good to be on His side.
Listen to “Jesus Shall Reign:”
https://youtu.be/BE4DDB5whyk?si=0cyv0emtz7DL7mQU
- Pray for someone in Tonga to be saved today.
- Pray for a Chinese athlete to be saved today as well.
- Verse 3 includes the phrase, “And infant voices shall proclaim their early blessings on His name.” Pray for God to multiply the number of Christian parents worldwide who strive to make this goal a reality.
