King Forever: Ceasing Never

We conclude with some disturbing, nevertheless true pictures. So what are we saying about our King? As has been noted previously, one of the functions of an efficient and true king is that he is not just wise, but he inspires his people and knows how to keep them calm and assured of his protection. He is the people’s example. Here is a candid snapshot of King Saul, during one of the most critical times in his reign as king of Israel.

A giant of an enemy has challenged King Saul and his army. This Philistine giant of a soldier, named Goliath, a visible champion in the Philistine army, has openly, confidently and boastingly, bellowed out these words to King Saul and his people. Choose a man for yourselves, and let him come down to me. If he is able to fight with me and kill me, then we will be your servants. But if I prevail against him and kill him, then you shall be our servants and serve us. And the Philistine said, I defy the armies of Israel this day; give me a man, that we may fight together. When Saul and all Israel heard these words of the Philistine, they were dismayed and greatly afraid. 1 Samuel 17: 8b – 11. This is the disturbing picture before us. It is a picture of a king and his nation. They were dismayed and greatly afraid.

An enemy is standing against your country.  He is most intimidating and larger than life itself. Your king, who has been charged to look after his people and protect them, the one who is to set an example for the people, is afraid of the enemy and cowers at his presence and voice. Here are a few clearly visible facts.

On one side of the divide are the applauding, confident and joyful Philistine people, for they have someone who is their unbeaten champion. His record speaks for itself and this is just another success story to add to his already illustrious list of victories. Yes, I tell you, the unwavering confidence of the leader of the enemy, permeates throughout the people and they are all covered in victory.

On the other side, there is the king of Israel and as their leader, what does he inspire in his people? Israel at the moment is not an applauding, confident and joyful people, for they have taken the heart and mind of their king in this matter. Their king is visibly dismayed and afraid and that is what he passes on to his people. Yes, I tell you, the fear and utter helplessness of the Israelite leader, permeates throughout the people of Israel and they are all covered in defeat. 

As God’s people, what is the snapshot, the candid picture that has been taken of us, in this place and time? God is King, and as believers we literally profess it, each time we say the Lord’s Prayer. Whether or not we are aware of what we are saying, we profess God as King. We begin with our heavenly Father as King, with a Kingdom where He alone reigns. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6: 9b – 10. We conclude the prayer with royal, regal words. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Matthew 6: 13b. Jesus has taught us in our praying to acknowledge that the Kingdom belongs to God. The Power belongs to God. The Glory belongs to God, forever and ever.

• We acknowledge that we are His children, as we address Him as, our Father.

• We acquiesce to His Name as hallowed, giving fear and reverence to His Holy Name.

• We applaud and acclaim His Kingdom. If we believe that He has a Kingdom then we are saying that He is King.

• We ask that His Kingdom come and His will be done here, among us on earth, as it is done among His heavenly dwellers. Are we not hailing God as King on earth as He is in heaven?

Here is the solemn, indisputable and undeniable fact of the matter. You and I, as children of our Father in heaven, know that He is King. He is not somebody else’s King for we are residents in His earthly kingdom. God is our King! The problem lies in our confidence in Him as our King. Do we believe that He is able to keep us safe and protect us from the enormous champion giants that are flexing their strong, huge muscles at us? When we look at our King, as all Israel looked at their king, what do we see? Are we seeing our King as dismayed and greatly afraid? God forbid! Forgive quickly and change us, O King!

Holy Spirit, help us to turn our eyes fast onto our One, true, Triune King, so that in the midst of enemy attacks, we are the applauding, confident and joyful people of God. Let us know and show that we have a King who is an unbeaten Champion. His unsurpassed and unbroken record speaks for itself and this present giant of an enemy before us, is just another success story to add to our King’s already illustrious list of victories.

Indeed! I say to you, keep your heart, mind, soul and strength fixed and focused on your King and He will bring you stillness, peace, calm and stubborn assurance in Him.

Sing praises to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth; sing praises with understanding. Psalm 47: 6 – 7.