Jesus Shall Reign

This is an Isaac Watts hymn from 1719. But, as incredible as Watts was at writing hymns, and many hymns he did, we’re not going to look into Watt’s story or the historical events surrounding the time of its writing. We’re not even going to explore how Psalm 72 is the basis of this hymn. Instead, we’re going to examine a story of impact.

 

A few weeks ago, the 2024 Summer Olympics closed in Paris, France, completing the anniversary games of those held 100 years ago. Time will reveal what becomes the most memorable athletic achievement of these 2024 summer games, but it's likely to be a particular break-dancing athlete. However,  Eric Liddell was most remembered for his part in the 1924 Summer Games one hundred years ago.

 

If you've seen the movie Chariots of Fire, you know his story. Eric was best at the 100-meter sprint, but he refused to compete because the Olympic heats would be held on a Sunday. His knowledge of the schedule months ahead of the games gave him the opportunity to train for the 400-meter race instead. Although arguably the fastest runner in the 100-meter race, he didn’t exhibit the same prowess in the 400-meter race during training and preceding competitions.

 

As depicted in the story, a note he was handed at the race referenced 1 Samuel 2:30: “For those who honor me, I will honor.” Liddell won the gold medal in the Men's 400m race and broke the world record, completing the race in 47.6 seconds.

 

A missionary kid born in China, Liddell decided to return to the mission field in 1925. By this time, Eric was famous, and many could not understand why he would walk away from what could’ve been a career of sprinting success and fame.  From his departing train station window, to a crowd of reporters and supporters that had gathered to see him off, he led them in the singing of this hymn.

 

Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
Does its successive journeys run
His kingdom stretch from shore to shore
Till sun shall rise and set no more

 

Blessings abound where’er He reigns
The pris’ner leaps to lose his chains
The weary find eternal rest
And all the sons of want are blessed

 

People and realms of every tongue
Dwell on His love with sweetest song
And infant voices shall proclaim
Their early blessings on His name


Let every creature rise and bring
Blessing and honor to our King
Angels descend with songs again
And earth repeat the loud amen!

 

CHORUS:
To our King be highest praise
Rising through eternal days
Just and faithful He shall reign:
Jesus shall reign!

 

Upon Eric’s return to China, he began serving and teaching in the same province as his parents. He later became ordained while in Scottland on furlough. But World War II was starting to heat up, and in 1941, Liddell sent his wife and children to Canada (where she was from) for safety. As the Japanese army continued to wreak havoc on China, they eventually came to the village where Liddell was living and working. He was taken to a POW camp in 1943 where he began to teach the children there and organize running competitions among the other prisoners. While imprisoned, Liddell became ill and passed away in 1946 from a brain tumor at the age of 43.

 

This hymn speaks to us about God’s sovereignty over all things at home and around the globe. We sing it with joy and confidence. Jesus shall reign!

 

 


 

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