The Earth is the Lord's

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.” (Psalms 24:1)

Have you ever been guilty of saying something like this about Satan? The world is Satan’s domain. The devil has rule over the earth right now. This way of thinking may have its roots in Scripture, but we must be careful not to give Satan more power than he is allowed by God.

“Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” (2 Corinthians 4:4)

“We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.”(1 John 5:19)

This world is a fallen world, fallen since Satan ushered in the lies and temptations which led to the first sin. Satan himself is a fallen angel; Revelation 12 explains the war in heaven and how Satan and his angels were thrown down to earth. So it follows that a fallen creature would have dominion over a fallen world.

““I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.” (John 14:30-31)

“Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.” (Romans 13:10)

“‘And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.’” (Genesis 3:15)

Satan has this world for the time being but Satan has no power over Jesus. Jesus obediently paid our sacrifice and that love fulfilled the requirements of God’s law. The requirements were set in motion after the first sin, that this ancient serpent would strike Jesus’ heel but Jesus would strike or crush the serpent’s head. Satan roams the earth, desperate because he is fighting a losing battle, but he does not have authority—that belongs to Jesus.

“Jesus came and told his disciples, ‘I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.’” (Matthew 28:18)

For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths.” (Psalm 24:2)

The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it because God made the earth and everything in it. Just because Satan fell and now roams like a hungry lion, doesn’t mean the world belongs any less to God. All authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Christ Jesus and He sits at the right hand of the Father. While it may seem like everything is just how Satan wants it, like our world is on fire, ruled by the devil himself as people murder each other, hate each other, and lies seem to be the common narrative, do not lose sight of who is in control. We have an enemy who is on the prowl, but all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Jesus and the earth and everything in it belongs to God. 

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

—Redeemed