11 Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours.
Dear heavenly Father, one of my favorite theological words is “Yours,” with you as the subject. Everything is yours, Father—everything comes from you, is sustained by you, and exists for your glory. “Greatness” only has meaning when compared to you. Your power displayed in creation and redemption is the “gold standard” of all power.
“Victory” is no mere sporting category; in your story, it’s the grand affirmation of Jesus’ triumph over sin and death, evil and the evil one himself. Indeed, all majesty and glory belong to you, Lord
Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and you are exalted as head above all.
Your kingdom reign in the Garden of Eden was just a hint, whisper, and foretaste of the eternal Kingdom we will enjoy in the new heaven and new earth, when Jesus return to put all things right and make all things new. Truly and fully, you have the whole world (and everything and everyone in it) in your hands, right now. All other reigns are fiefdoms of futility and all other kings are momentary monarchs. There is one God, one Lord, and one King, and that is you.
12 Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all.
What do we have that we haven’t received from you, Father? You give and you take away, blessed be the name of our God, who does all things well, all the time. Providence—not chance or coincidence, or circumstance or happenstance, rules. You exalt us and you humble us. You are the Lord of our laughter and our tears.
In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.
Yes, Father, all things are in your hand; but in your heart reside unparalleled joy and generosity and immeasurable, irrepressible love for your children. You have given us Jesus—who is our righteousness and peace, our strength and our life. Thank you! So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ tender and triumphant name.
