CHRIST’s REIGN OVER ALL

Psalm 2; Isaiah 9:6-7

I HAVE CHRIST IN MY HEART

What though wars may come,
With marching feet and beat of the drum,
For I have Christ in my heart;
What though nations rage,
As we approach the end of the age,
For I have Christ in my heart.
God is still on the throne, Almighty God is He;
And He cares for His own through all eternity.
So let come what may, whatever it is, I only say
That I have Christ in my heart,
I have Christ in my heart.

I used to sing this song a lot. It was written by a man named Wendell Loveless.  Wendell was a Marine Corps officer during World War I.  Converted as a result of reading his Bible at home, he later became the director of the radio department at Moody Bible Institute from 1926-1947.  He wrote this wonderful song in 1940, as the dark clouds of World War II were gathering.  He knew something about the horrors of war, but he also knew the Savior.  The message of the song resonates because there have always been wars, even as we hear of looming conflicts in our own time.

Psalm 2 speaks to these realities.  To understand this Psalm we must realize it applied first to the writer, King David.  The schemes of the rulers against God’s anointed, spoken of in the Psalm, were rooted in the time of David’s reign, when the vassal nations sought Israel’s harm.  David, the anointed ruler of Israel, wrote the Psalm to speak of the folly of rebellion against God’s anointed to whom God had made promises.  Yet it is also obvious the Psalm stretches far beyond David’s experience.  In fact, Psalm 2 is quoted seven times in the New Testament.  Peter quoted from it in Acts 4:25-27 concerning the rejection of Jesus at His first coming.  So the passage clearly and ultimately speaks to the ongoing rebellion of the nations and their rulers and the people against God’s anointed Ruler, Jesus Christ.

There are three main truths taught in this Psalm.  1) The nations and their rulers have rebelled against God (Psalm 2:1-3).  You won’t hear about this on the news, but consider how little thought is given by any leaders in our day as to what our creator God thinks about anything.  Though they might pridefully reject God, plotting and taking counsel together in their pursuit of wealth and power, the reality is they are mere pawns on God’s chessboard (Daniel 2:21, 4:25).  2) God is sovereign over all.  He will fulfill His predetermined plan to judge man’s rebellion (Psalm 2:4-9).  In pride they plot and scheme, as from heaven God laughs. The One who works all things according to the counsel of His will, already has a plan in place.  All will be brought into subjection to the Lord Jesus Christ, who will reign over all!  Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess Him as Lord.  Whether as a loving worshiper destined to eternal glory, or as a rebel doomed to eternal destruction.  3) We must submit to Him while there is still time (Psalm 2:10-12).  The warning applies to all.  We need to show wisdom and take warning, by bowing in submission and fear before God, giving reverence to His Son.  We are to submit to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior lest we “perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled” (Psalm 2:12). As Matthew Henry put it, “Those who do not bow, will break!”

If you are following the news, you are aware the end times predicted in the Bible appear to be close at hand.  Yet even if His coming is delayed, there’s no guarantee any of us will have another day on this earth.  If you do not obey the gospel and believe in Jesus before then, you will face the wrath of His judgment.  On the other hand, “blessed are all who take refuge in him” (Psalm 2:12).  The One who came first as a Lamb, is coming again as a Lion.  In times like these how good it is to “have Christ in my heart!”

Heavenly Father, the long war against You and Your anointed rages on.  It seems to us to be a never ending conflict, yet we know You are in control.  Though the wrong seems oft so strong, You are the ruler yet.  Your plan and your purposes will prevail and every person on this earth will be brought into subjection to Your Son, Jesus Christ. May we measure the news according to the truths of Your Word.  Wars and troubles may come our way.  Leaders may reject You and do much harm.  No one and nothing can work to stop You from fulfilling Your predetermined plan.  May our hearts rejoice in Your sovereign and loving purpose.  Help us to be careful to ensure we’ve turned to you for refuge.  And help us to rest in You, even as we eagerly await the coming of Your Son.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

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Author: looking2jesus13

Jerry L. Conklin was born and raised in Hillsboro, Oregon. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the United States Navy and served for six years in the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. He was assigned to the USS *Omaha* (SSN-692), a nuclear-powered fast-attack submarine, where he served as a reactor-plant electrical operator. His military service took him to ports and locations throughout the world and provided extensive technical training, leadership experience, and an enduring appreciation for those who serve in the Armed Forces. Following his Navy service, Jerry earned a bachelor’s degree in Nuclear Technology from Thomas Edison State University. He worked at the Trojan Nuclear Plant near Rainier, Oregon, first as a reactor operator and later as a training specialist. After sensing God’s call to pastoral ministry, he left the nuclear-power industry and earned a master’s degree in theology from Western Conservative Baptist Seminary in Portland, Oregon. Jerry served for twenty-seven and a half years as senior pastor of Lewis and Clark Bible Church in Astoria, Oregon. During those years, he preached and taught the Scriptures, provided pastoral counseling, performed weddings and memorial services, trained church leaders, and served individuals and families throughout the community. He also served as a fire department chaplain and participated in a variety of community ministries. After retiring from full-time pastoral ministry, Jerry and his wife, Laura, moved to Heppner, Oregon. There he served for approximately four years as a chaplain with Pioneer Memorial Home Health and Hospice, providing spiritual and emotional support to more than 150 patients and their families. In 2023, the Oregon Association for Home Care honored him as its Chaplain of the Year. Jerry also helped establish South Morrow County Seniors Matter, a nonprofit organization created to address the needs of older adults following the COVID-19 pandemic. As chairman, he worked with community leaders and volunteers to develop a weekly senior meal program, a monthly veterans’ lunch, and other activities and services. The organization served hundreds of seniors, mobilized more than 200 volunteers, and received statewide and national recognition. In 2025, Jerry was named Heppner’s Man of the Year, and his community service was later recognized by United States Senator Jeff Merkley. International missions have also been an important part of Jerry’s ministry. He has made ten trips to Uganda, where he has taught at pastors’ conferences, preached in churches, participated in Bible-school graduations, distributed Bibles and Christian materials, and encouraged local pastors and ministry leaders. He developed the discipleship booklet *First Steps with Jesus* to help new believers understand and grow in their faith. Jerry is the author of numerous books, Bible studies, devotionals, and teaching resources, including works centered on prayer, Christian hope, spiritual growth, and the person of Jesus Christ. His decades of preaching and teaching reflect his commitment to presenting biblical truth clearly, practically, and faithfully. Jerry and Laura were married for nearly forty-two years and raised four children. They were also blessed with three grandchildren. Laura passed away in August 2025 following an eight-and-a-half-year battle with cancer. Jerry currently lives in Hillsboro, where he helps care for his elderly father. He continues to preach, teach, write, and serve others through pastoral and community ministry.

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