Does your heart get discouraged with all the hate, violence, and abuse in our country and in this world? When you think of so many hearts devastated and hurting? So many crying in pain while no justice is done? Perhaps some of you have been through it yourself or still are experiencing it personally or in your family? Rejection, abuse, and disrespect that tears your soul apart?
This summer, after the Charlottesville attack, I was so overwhelmed and disheartened. I was driving in our van, and Natalie Grant’s song – The King of the World – came on the radio. These lyrics hit home like never before:
“When did I forget that You’ve always been the King of the world?
I try to take life back right out of the hands of the King of the world
How could I make You so small
When You’re the One who holds it all
When did I forget that You’ve always been the King of the world?”
Not immediately, but gradually, as this song kept replaying in my heart, I could lay my stress and people’s hearts into the King’s hands. God is still the King over this whole world. He knows all. He sees all. No pain is hidden from Him. And just because so much is happening doesn’t mean He has left us or doesn’t care.
When I heard hundreds of people singing “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,” my heart knew that’s what I need to remember, too. Hate can shout so loudly, but I must not let it drown out my voice and discourage me from spreading the light of Jesus’ love.
I easily forget that God is in control of everything, so I often have to remind myself of this truth. Here are several summer photos of God’s power and glory in the skies that help me to remember He is still the King of the World!
“The heavens declare
the glory of God;
the skies proclaim
the work of His hands.”
Psalm 19:1
My husband and I were visiting our son and his family in Omaha, NE, when a tornado hit the area. As we sheltered in a room in the basement, our grandkids admitted they were afraid. Even little Gracie, their dog, was trembling as she felt their fear. Thanks be to God, our lives were spared and not much damage was done to their home. The next town over wasn’t so fortunate, though no lives were lost. When we went to the open garage, I was speechless with awe as I looked at the display of God’s splendor in these first two photos. Do you see how God spread His light through the clouds, breaking up the rolling darkness of the storm? Oh God, how could I ever make You so small when You’re the One who holds it all?
The next three are photos of an evening sky here in Sioux Falls. My husband drove us further to the east where buildings wouldn’t block our view. Wow! Oh God, how could I forget You will always be the King of the world?
The last four photos are from my brother in Arizona. Awesome views of a monsoon sky!
God is and always will be the King of the world. He’s got us, no matter what pain we go through, whether through natural disasters or inflicted by evil human choices. He is never going to grow tired or weary of keeping us in His faithful love and care.
“Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and His understanding no one can fathom.”
Isaiah 40:28
“King of the World”
by Natalie Grant
Freed to Fly 
Oh, Trudy, your photos and your words so touched my heart today! Yes, how could we ever forget that God is large and in charge? How we could reduce Him to a one-size-fits-all deity? May we ever be mindful of His majestic presence, worshiping Him as King of All.
Blessings!
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I love the way you put that, Martha. Yes, He is large and in charge. We can so easily forget what a BIG GOD we have, can’t we? But when we can see Him as He is, it is a comfort in the darkness. I pray with you – “May we ever be mindful of His majestic presence, worshiping Him as King of All.” Amen!
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Dear Trudy … you’ve captured nature in it’s wildness and yet I’m struck most by this reminder that it is God Himself who’s on the throne, who rules over all. In times like this, we might not understand His purposes, but that’s where faith kicks in, doesn’t it …
Appreciate your wise words this morning!
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Thank you, Linda. Yes, in times like this, it is so hard to understand His purposes. I keep telling myself I don’t need to understand… I just need to hold His hand! May we lift our eyes to Him as the King who was, is, and always will be on the throne, ruling over all!
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I love the song you’ve built this post around, Trudy, and your pictures are beautiful too. Thanks for this timely reminder that God is over all! By the way, do you live in Sioux Falls? We drive through there every year on the way to visit Randy’s parents in North Dakota … I’ve always thought it a very pretty city. Hugs, friend!
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Thank you, Lois. Yes, we live in the SE corner of Sioux Falls. It’s a great city, and we love living here. Have you ever been to the Falls? That’s exciting that you get so close! You’re always welcome to stop by for coffee or whatever you prefer. I always have homemade cookies on hand, too. 🙂 By the way, I always meant to tell you that I tried your Amish White Bread recipe, and it’s delicious. It’s the softest homemade bread I’ve ever made. But I suppose it helps to have an electric mixer to help with the kneading. My hubby got me one for my last birthday. 🙂 May we always remember God is in control over every single event that happens in our lives and in this world!
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No, we’ve never been to the Falls … I didn’t even know it existed (although given the name of the city, it only makes sense)! I just Googled the park and it looks amazing … already told Randy we need to plan a stop next time we’re coming through. 🙂 And yes, I would love to connect with you too … that would be fun! So glad you enjoyed the bread …the coming of fall is putting me in the mood to bake, so I’ll have to get that recipe out again myself!
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It’s well worth seeing, Lois. 🙂 I’m sure your lovely girls would enjoy it, too. It’s a breath-taking sight. It’s a memorable place for me as well in a time when I was deeply depressed – https://freedtofly.me/2016/05/03/depression-and-deliverance/ . Have fun baking again! God be with you and keep you!
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The photos are amazing, Trudy! Looking at God’s creation is something I find really helpful too- it always reminds me of how big God is, and it’s so important to remember that he is king, especially when the world around us looks chaotic.
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Thank you, Lesley. Yes, His creation has often calmed me and reminded me, too, of how BIG He is. May we daily remember that He is King and is still in control, even when our lives and the world around us are chaotic!
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Dear Trudy,
I love the Scripture that you closed your post with. It reminded me that I was just speaking with my daughter about a similar verse, when Jesus tells us that what He is doing we cannot understand, now, but that we will later. He is still King, so majestic, as your photos so beautifully captured! And, even when we cannot understand all that we see around us, HE still will bring about HIS purposes for His Glory. Thank you for your encouraging words to hold onto our King’s promises, and to His Love! Blessings and Hugs to you! xoxo
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Thank you, Bettie. Blessings and hugs to you, too! Yes, He still will bring about HIS purpose to His Glory. So much that happens is so hard to understand, but we need to desperately cling to His promises and His power as King. Isn’t it wonderful that He never grows tired or weary? May we daily remember He will faithfully watch over us and turn all things to His glory and to our good!
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Trudy, LOVE those photos! I confess, too many times I’ve forgotten how powerful and majestic God is. My view and perspective get tangled up in the temporal circumstances. I need to take what I don’t understand and hold it all out to God. I need to remember that He is the King of the World, and He loves me as His daughter. I need to listen to that song more. Great post, friend! Sending you a hug.
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Thank you, Jeanne. I too often forget, too. I love your pointing out “He loves me as His daughter.” Yes, we are daughters of the King of all kings! Awesome truth, right? May we both take what we don’t understand and hold it all out to our God!
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I love that song as well and have had a similar reaction while listening to it. Just laying my own stuff down and instead resting in His peace that He’s got this all under control. Thanks for sharing this encouragement with us!
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I’m so glad you were encouraged, Rachel. With you, I’m trying to lay my own stuff down and instead resting in His peace. It’s hard to do sometimes, isn’t it? May we daily remember He’s got us and has all things under His control!
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Trudy! 🙂 so glad you are back and hope you had a really restful summer- 🙂 I missed reading your blog. I love that song and it has spoken to me too this summer. And your pictures are beautiful! Thanks for these encouraging words. It means so much to hear then when the world feels very dark. with love and hugs
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Hi Susie! Thank you for missing me and welcoming me back. I miss reading your blog, too, but I know you need to follow your heart. 🙂 I hope you all are doing well. I’m so glad you were encouraged. It’s neat that the song also spoke to you this summer. We certainly need to hear it, don’t we? Love and hugs to you, too! May we cling to the unshakable truth that God is and always will be King, no matter how dark it gets in this world!
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Oh my, how easily we forget that Jesus is the King of the world, and how swift we are to take right back our supposed control! Yet seeing the heavens declaring His wonder, majesty and glory, like you have depicted in these wonderful photographs, is enough to give us a holy jolt and bring the awe right back. Thank you, Trudy, for this great reminder that we are not in charge of things. With the current state of the world that is actually quite a freeing thought! Bless you, sweet friend, for another lovely dose of encouragement. Sending love and hugs your way today! xo ❤
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I’m so glad you were encouraged, Joy. Yes, we so easily forget. I need lots of those “holy jolts!” Yes, it certainly is freeing to know God has all things under His control. Love and hugs to you, too! May God daily renew our hearts and open them to the awe of His majesty!
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Hi Trudy! Holy Cow, what amazing photos you have here! Thanks be to God who is in control and kept you out of harms way in that basement. I know your faith and calm presence helped to relax your family.
God loves to remind us that he’s around, and I think that song was his little nudge to tell you that it’s going to be okay. We all know that the country is fighting internal and external storms, it can all get so overwhelming. May we all stay open to the presence and encouragement of the Lord.
Blessings to you!
Ceil
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Thank you for your kind words, Ceil. Yes, it can get so overwhelming. What a comfort it is to know that God got’s us and He is always in control. Blessings to you, too! And with you I pray “May we all stay open to the presence and encouragement of the Lord!”
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