The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood, and the Lord sits as King forever. The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace. (Psalm 29:10-11)
Before the flood of Noah, most of the people in that generation paid no regard to the LORD. Their imaginations were continually working to find new ways to rebel against the universal laws He had set in place, so much so, that the earth itself became corrupt. After the flood, however, people were very keen to acknowledge the LORD even if they weren’t inclined to enthusiastically walk in righteousness. The point is, when God uprooted and overturned His enemies, the world took note; He was exalted in the eyes of man and acknowledged as Sovereign.
David hints that this pattern will be repeated once and for all with the outcome being, the LORD will reign as King forever. The implication is that all of His enemies will be forever destroyed and no longer able to disrupt His plan for Creation. As a result, His people — who have always been subjected to ridicule and persecution when the wicked were riding high — will be exalted as well. If the wicked are decimated and in retreat, it makes sense that the righteous will advance, increasing in power and influence. And according to David, along with that increased strength comes the long awaited peace. Think of it this way: the defeat of an aggressor lends to peace. Some of the greatest eras of peace time have come only after a decisive conflict has eliminated a threat.
There is a rabbinic adage that says, “The Holy One could find no container which would hold Israel’s blessings as well as peace.” In other words, all the prosperity, fruitfulness and favor that God bestows upon His people is somewhat diminished if we had no peace. It is understood that we will always have times of testing and trials, but even then, God is able to impart His shalom unto His people. As it is written, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).
There is coming a day when God will put down all of His enemies and the Prince of Peace shall rule and reign over all the earth. In that day, His people will enter into a time of peace and wholeness not experienced since before the fall of man. Until then we must continue contending for the Kingdom of Heaven as we war against the darkness of this world. As we do, remember these words of Paul: “Be anxious for nothing … and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Messiah Yeshua” (Philippians 4:6).
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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