The Cross and the Throne

by Angie Thomas

I am sitting here writing this at almost 11 am still in my pajamas.  It’s been one of those mornings.  It started with waking up at 5:45 out of a dream/nightmare where I was frantically searching for my new baby.  In my dream he was several months old and we were with a bunch of friends and family at this big convention and someone else was watching him for awhile and when I went to retrieve him, no one knew where he was.  I woke up to the emotions of fear and dread that I had lost my baby.  I stumbled into my rocking chair where I spend time with the Lord each morning and was plagued with doubts and questions from a conversation I had yesterday with some friends.  I kept calling out to the Lord to let me focus on His truths and His promises but my heart just felt tired and unable to focus.  I tried reading my study but could hardly concentrate.  I finally walked back into our bedroom and asked my husband if he would pray with me and for me.  He had also had a frustrating day yesterday.

As we began to pray the Lord reminded of what Laurie shared on Tuesday night during the lecture about the importance of the cross and meditating on it and what Christ’s sacrifice did and is accomplishing for us each and every day.  I sensed the Lord’s Spirit wash over me with reassurance and peace as I remembered how much Jesus suffered on the cross on my behalf.  His love for me was powerfully demonstrated there, even if today’s circumstances do not seem to be sending the same message.  The message of the cross for me, for you, for everyday in the muck and mire of this life is Christ loves you!

My light and momentary trials pale in comparison to His suffering, but also His glory!  Because of what He accomplished on the cross, Jesus now rules and reigns over every seeming obstacle in our days. Hebrews, 12:2 says, “looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

I love verses that speak about God’s rule and His reign.  They encouraged me to press on this morning, to keep walking forward as we look to Jesus, high and lifted up, seated on His throne.

 Psalm 93:1: “The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved.”

Isaiah 6:1b, 3 (NIV): “I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. …And they were calling to one another: ‘Holy, holy,holy is the Lord Almighty, the whole earth is full of his glory.'”

Revelation 19:6: “Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns.'”

So, I pray this encourages you today to see Christ and the cross and His throne and to keep pressing on.  Our physical realities are such a dim picture of what is going on in the spiritual realm.  I pray you would know His love for you in real and tangible ways.