Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us,
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. (Amen.)
9 “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9-10 (NIV)
THY KINGDOM COME
Lord, how many times have we wished Your kingdom would come?! Especially when life is hard and things are not working out the way we thought or hoped. What would God’s kingdom look like? Peace. Unity. Health. Love. Beauty. No sin. These are visuals I get when I think of heaven. But did you know the Kingdom of God is a present reality?
Since the beginning of time, God has always ruled and reigned. The Kingdom of God “comes” as the gospel is shared and people who are far from God draw close to Him through faith in Jesus. People, sinners, surrender their lives to God’s rule and reign. We won’t do this perfectly, but we will align our values to God’s values and look to Jesus for forgiveness when we miss the mark. With each new Believer, the Kingdom of God grows. The Kingdom of God is both now and not yet, begun, but not finished.
The full reality of the Kingdom of God will be revealed when Jesus comes again and rules and reigns on the earth. Sin will exist no more. It will be God with His people. Jesus will be recognized as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This is the day Believers long for.
How do we live in this world in light of the coming kingdom? One answer is… Hopeful. We live with hope today because God exists. He has made Himself and His truth known to us through His Word. Although we were hopeless sinners, we know that God will forgive our sins through our belief in the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ. The next thing we do is share the gospel. Bring the truth of God to those who need Him most (which is everyone!). Your faith is personal, but it is not private. Spread the hope that you have to others.
LET’S PRAY
Dear God,
You are fully in control. You reign and rule on earth and in heaven. I miss the mark and fall short of Your perfect standard. Thank You for sacrificing Jesus as payment for my sins. Please help me to do my part to expand the Kingdom of God. Help me to have the words to influence those around me to know You more. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.