This Shabbat is called Shabbat Shira (sing/song) because of the song Moses sung after the crossing of the Sea of Reeds (Red Sea). Contained in this song is the verse, “The Lord will reign forever.” Exodus 15:18. Many people hear this verse and ask themselves when will His reign begin? Although it is true in one sense that this verse will only be fulfilled when Jesus returns and establishes His Kingdom from Jerusalem, the believer can experience a personal fulfillment of God’s ruling power, when he or she surrenders to Him.

It is not a coincidence that the subject of the preceding verse is worship. It is only when one comes before the Living God in a spirit of obedience and with the purpose of worshipping Him that one can sense The Lord’s authority in his life. When was the last time you prayed to experience God’s authority? Unfortunately most of us do not think about making such a prayer. Believers talk all the time about freedom and liberty, but somehow fail to understand that it is only when you submit to Jesus’s authority; then and only then are you truly free.

One of the most powerful verses in the Bible is found in Second Corinthians 10:5,

“Casting down imaginations and every lofty thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought captive to the obedience of The Messiah.”

I promise you that if you pray daily to Jesus, that your utmost desire is that every thought of yours will be made captive to the obedience of the Messiah, that you will experience significant change in your life. In order to truly pray this prayer, you will need to use that verse as a filter for all your other requests before God. In other words, you will need to verify that your petitions before The Lord are rooted in obedience to Him. When I do this I find that many of my prayers simply are not appropriate. They are about me and my plans, rather than being contented with the things of the Kingdom.

In conclusion, if Messiah does rule your prayer life, you can be assured that the other areas of your life will be ordered properly.