June 2022 will go down in history as the month in which as a nation we celebrated the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 2. Since her coronation back in 1953 we've reflected upon many aspects of her reign which have been worthy of celebration.
However, there's another Monarchy, widely ignored, neglected and even rejected today. Yet it's one which has great relevance for us all and is worthy of even greater celebration.
SOVEREIGNTY
As Head of State our Queen has served as our ruler for 70 years. And yet the Bible tells of One to whom even she must bow the knee... the King of Kings and Lord of Lords...
'For God is King of all the earth... God reigns over the nations... the kings of
the earth belong to the Lord...'
'The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all
who live in it...'
Psalm 47:7-9 & Psalm 24:1
He made us to enjoy a close, personal relationship with Himself, but our self-centred nature has brought serious consequences...
'...your iniquities (sins) have separated you from your God...'
Isaiah 59:2
REBELLION
Down through the years Kings and Queens have exercised authority over their subjects, and those who have disregarded or rejected their right to rule have paid the price... sometimes with their own lives!
Though most of us today don't realise it we can go through life ignoring or rejecting God's supreme authority... and His absolute right to order our daily living...
“...people have stubborn and rebellious hearts... They do not say to themselves,
'Let us fear the LORD our God.'”
Jeremiah 5:23-24
And the evidence of this is all around us... with consequences as serious as they come...
'...sexual immorality, impurity... hatred... jealousy, fits of rage,
selfish ambition... drunkenness...'
'...people are destined to die once and after that to face judgment...
Galatians 5:19-21 & Hebrews 9:27
MAJESTY
Thankfully, God has made a way of escape... through the sinless life, the sacrificial death and unique resurrection of His Son, Christ Jesus. Of course, the 'benefits' of this are not forced upon us. But in seeking His forgiveness, turning away from all we know to be wrong and asking Him into our lives by His Spirit to become our Saviour and Lord, we can know a completely new start in life... and with the power to live a new lifestyle...
'...if anyone is in Christ, that person is a new creation. The old has gone,
the new has come!'
2 Corinthians 5:17
One day the reign of our Queen will come to an end. Yet the reign of King Jesus will never end. And in seeking Him with all your heart you can know a quality of peace and security beyond all other... His ever-present help in times of trouble and a guaranteed place in heaven. So surely there can be no greater reason for celebration than this... can there?
