He Shall Reign Forevermore

Two thousand years ago, in a little village hidden in the countryside of Israel, was born the King of the world.

It’s a very unlikely scenario. Tiny Bethlehem was far away from the Roman power of its age. Few people lived there. The area was known only for farming and sheep herding.

But King David came from Bethlehem. After King Saul’s disobedience, Samuel the prophet had been sent to Bethlehem to find David, the new King (1 Samuel 16). After David’s death, prophets spoke of a future ruler continuing his royal reign: “He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing it and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever” (Isaiah 9:7).

Micah was one of these prophets. Through the word of God, he saw this future ruler coming from David’s hometown. But, unlike David, he was not going to be any ordinary person. He was to come “from ancient days” and “be great to the ends of the earth.” Micah saw someone who would apparently have no beginning and no limit to his rule.

At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus. The small, vulnerable child often depicted lying in a manger or in Mary’s loving arms was more than just an infant. His physical life had just begun, but he had existed “from ancient days.” He would grow as a child, but he would have a greatness known until the end of the world.

Jesus’ kingdom will reach far beyond Bethlehem or all that David was able to accomplish. As the Bible’s final book writes, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” Revelation 11:15

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we praise you as King. We look forward to your greatness extending to the ends of the earth. Shepherd us and cause us to dwell secure. Amen.

Throughout This Day: Consider the wonder of Christ’s birth at Christmas–that he was both new life and eternally preexistent.