Written by Rev. Leonard Buelow in Devotions: Morning Walk in the Word
“For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.”
The conclusion to the Lord’s Prayer is a doxology. The English word “doxology” is derived from two Greek words, and it means “a word of praise.” The Lord’s Prayer concludes with a word of praise.
Christians enjoy praising God. Prayer should be enjoyable; that being said, pray more and pray often!
In the conclusion to the Lord’s Prayer, we express our reasons for praying: “Thine is the kingdom.” God alone is the King over heaven and earth. All blessings for body and soul come from Him. Often, this is forgotten, and God and His Word are “put on the back burner.”
The ancient children of Israel forgot that God is King. They came to the prophet Samuel and requested a king. They said to Samuel, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations,” 1 Samuel 8:5. They wanted to be like all the other nations around them. Samuel took their request personally when the people said, “Give us a king to judge us,” 1 Samuel 8:6. However, “The Lord said to Samuel, ‘Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they rejected Me, that I should not reign over them,’” 1 Samuel 8:7. They did not want to be ruled by the one true God and His Word. Later, Samuel told them that they cried out for a king, and said, “‘A king shall reign over us,’ when the Lord your God was your King,” 1 Samuel 12:12.
Times have not changed. Today, millions of people do not want to be ruled by the one true God and by His Word. They need to be called to repentance and be taught how to pray, as even the disciples requested, “Lord, teach us how to pray!” And then Jesus gave them and us the Lord’s Prayer. The psalmist wrote, “The Lord is King forever and ever,” Psalm 10:16. In the conclusion to the Lord’s Prayer, we recognize that God is in charge! He alone is the one to whom we pray and from whom we seek help.
“Thine is . . . the power.” God alone has the power to hear and answer our prayers. David, the psalmist, wrote, “O You who hear prayer, to You all flesh will come,” Psalm 65:2. The Lord Jesus stands with outstretched arms, pleading and calling, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” Matthew 11:28. He invites us to come to Him, and He promises to respond to our needs for body and soul. His is the power. God is almighty. Abraham was asked, “Is anything too hard for the Lord?” Genesis 18:14. The Lord reminded him, “I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless,” Genesis 17:1.
“Thine is . . . the glory.” God should be given all glory and praise for everything that He has ever done for us, for everything He is doing now, and for everything that He will do in the future. Remember that He created you, He has redeemed you through the life, death, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and He has brought you to believe in Jesus as your Savior. For all this we pray, “Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.” Amen.