Kingdom of God

SCRIPTURE: Luke 17:20-21 NIV Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst,” (or, is within you).

THOUGHT: If you start with this as the truth about the kingdom, you never really expect it to be something you can see outwardly in this world. For humans this side of eternity, it is an inward truth and reality, an entire kingdom where we either choose to give the Triune God full reign (or not), and those choices become like salt and light to the world (or not).

In 2 Cor. 4:16, Paul talks about this inward reality as being a realm where God is at work in us: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”

The kingdom of God is a renewable energy source, powered by the Holy Spirit. It is the great separator between people of the world and people of faith. Yet, God desires to increase his kingdom in the earth hence Jesus teaches his followers to pray, “your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as in heaven.” God’s will and kingdom are thus bound together.

I can’t see the whole scope of God’s work and it’s frustrating (Ecc. 3:11). I only know that it started in a garden in perfection — and it will end likewise. Between the now and the not yet, we live in the tension of a world gone haywire. A planet not harmonious to kingdom rule, and thus it had to be hidden in the heart, perhaps even to survive the war against it.

PRAYER: You have set eternity in the heart, oh God. It is in the shape of a kingdom that starts growing the day we welcome you in. Someday, our eyes will be fully open to the whole scope of your work, and what a day that will be! We’ll take our place at your table and war will be no more.