Note: Yesterday we did not post a message due to a morning funeral.

Message Summary: "The Lord Reigns!" Today, as we remember this glorious truth, "Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory!"

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"Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory!" (Revelation 19:6,7).


Early in my ministry I served on a youth committee planning a large youth convention still held each year in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The convention ends on Good Friday with a large closing rally. In our planning meeting we were discussing ideas for a suitable name when one committee member suggested "Grand Finale Rally". Of course at the end of the rally the youth groups from all over Pennsylvania and Delaware go back to their own communities.

But one day there will be a "Grand Finale Rally" that will celebrate God's greatness and that Rally will never end!

In smaller rallies all over the world today Christ's people are singing "the song of the redeemed", a proclamation of the reigning Lord. We often consider this in a local church service, but of course singing takes place in a lot of places from large concerts to coffeehouses to families to individuals. We have the pleasure of hearing our Amish friends sing as we take the whole family on a long trip. The children sing the "adult" hymns along with Mom and Dad, verses and all, which is becoming a rare thing these days. So it always brings a smile to our hearts when we hear the youngest child singing, "What a friend we have in Jesus" and other such beautiful, timeless songs of the redeemed.

This last Sunday we sang "Jesus Loves Me" and I looked over and saw seven year old, David, sing out with a big smile that quietly expressed, "They're singing one of my songs!" Some time back  I took the photo above of a little girl singing along from the hymnal expressing childlike faith. She could have simply looked at the power point but instead chose the "traditional" method of looking at the lyrics alongside the music.

We like to see teenagers sing. It's an age for many who find expressing their faith more challenging. Young families sitting together bound in a mutual proclamation of belief. Choirs and smaller musical groups as well as praise teams.

Older people are still singing the song of the redeemed. When we first moved to Lancaster County in 2001 for several years we sat in front of Menno who turned 100 a year or so later. He still sang out the songs of the redeemed, many of the same songs he had led the congregation in singing when he was songleader many decades earlier.

One of our fondest recollections of hearing the song of the redeemed took place about ten years ago in our interim pastorate near Harrisburg. Joe (left), who was 83 years old at the time, worshiped God with joyful expression. About thirty years earlier following cancer treatment he had a prosthesis implanted which aided him in forming speech when he placed his hand over the opening in his throat. His voice had the unusual characteristics of those whose larynx is removed, but that didn't stop Joe from singing out! I often stood several rows ahead of him and I was so blessed to hear his voice joining in the song of the Redeemed! As Brooksyne played the piano and led the congregation in worship she would occasionally hear Joe's voice above the other voices. It never failed to move her and often brought out even more earnest, heartfelt worship in her singing and playing the piano.

All over the world God's children are singing the song of the redeemed. We are declaring in scores of different ways our foundational belief that "He reigns". Our daily text is a glimpse of the other side of Jordan described as "a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouts: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns!"  Amen!

Allow this truth to minister to you in regard to your trials and troubles this day. The health matter that is so uncertain. The Lord reigns! The job or financial situation that looks like a long, dark tunnel. The Lord reigns! The family troubles that seem to get only worse. The Lord reigns! The problems we face as a nation. The Lord reigns! Our bizarre political climate!  Still the Lord reigns!

Today as we remember this glorious truth, "Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory!"



Be encouraged today,


Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

Daily prayer: Father, the vast majority won't get asked to sing a solo in church nor do they play musical instruments. Even clapping their hands in rhythm is a major challenge. Perhaps they will be granted these skills in heaven where they will enjoy that which they were denied here on earth. But, whether we're skilled musicians or sing off-pitch, or are unable to locate middle C on a piano, we can still shout for joy to You. We can worship You with gladness and come before You with joyful songs derived from sincere hearts of worship. Voices that the trained ear on earth might turn away, You wholeheartedly welcome because it comes with grateful worship and heartfelt praise. We dedicate to You that which You have given us and we praise You, Lord. We praise You in Your sanctuary; we praise You in Your mighty heavens. We praise You for your acts of power and for Your surpassing greatness. We join the millions who respond in praise to You, since You invite everything that has breath to praise the Lord. In the song of the redeemed, we praise You, for You reign! Amen.

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"He Reigns"  Video   Newsboys

Joe Carroll's story

To give our readers some idea of how large the Flower show is, here's a google view of the Pennsylvania Convention Center.