2. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion. It is in and through the church that for the present the power of the Messiah is known. Jehovah has given to Jesus all authority in the midst of his people, whom he rules with his royal scepter, and this power goes forth with divine energy from the church for the ingathering of the elect, and the subduing of all evil. We need to pray for the sending out of the rod of divine strength. It was by his rod that Moses smote the Egyptians, and wrought wonders for Israel, and whenever the Lord Jesus sends forth the rod of his strength our spiritual enemies are overcome. O God of eternal might, let the strength of our Lord Jesus be more clearly seen, and let the nations see it as coming forth out of the midst of thy feeble people. Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies, as he does whenever his mighty scepter of grace is stretched forth to renew and save them. Moses’ rod brought water out of the flinty rock, and the Gospel of Jesus soon causes repentance to flow in rivers from the once hardened heart of man. Or the text may mean that though the church is situated in the midst of a hostile world, yet it exerts a great influence, it continues to manifest inward majesty, and is after all the ruling power among the nations because the shout of a King is in her midst. Jesus, however hated by people, is still the King of kings. Jesus, it appears from this text, is not inactive while he sits at Jehovah’s right hand, but in his own way proves the abiding nature of his kingdom both in Zion and from Zion, both among his friends and his foes. We look for the clearer manifestation of his almighty power in the latter days; but even in these waiting times we rejoice that to the Lord all power is given in heaven and on earth.
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