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Royalty

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;   I Peter 2:9

I was standing in a check out line and as intended by the display, my eye caught the covers of the tabloids.  The royal family, the Windsors of England, was not so kindly displayed on the covers begging a purchase to gain the latest “scoop” on the royals.  Americans, and indeed the world, are mesmerized by the “fairytale” lives of the monarchy. We are indoctrinated with this desire for a privileged life in early childhood as we read childhood fantasy, watch Disney, who always has a member of royalty as part of the cast, and play dress up in princess dresses, knight-in-shining armor uniforms, and wear crowns.  We see this in our love for shows like Reign, The Tudors, The Crown, Medici and films like Mary, Queen of Scots.   American royalty are celebrities from New York, Hollywood, and Nashville, and we follow their lives like we are best friends.  This infatuation with royalty is not new. Ancient peoples clamoured for a king. Israel wanted a king they could see, hear, and look to for guidance despite the fact these were human beings and their lives filled with human choices and the resulting consequences that surely follow.  The “fairytale” is far from “happily ever after.” In reality, life is the tale of the battle for the soul of man displayed in all its less than glorious reality and the devastation our choices cause in the lives of those we love.

King David, the man after God’s own heart, was the unlikely king.  David a shepherd, youngest son of Jesse from Bethlehem, ordained by God, anointed as a youth, and then battled for survival, for years, at the hand of his rival: king Saul.  King David was guilty of killing other human beings in war, guilty of deceit, murder, adultery and partiality. These sins cost David and those he loved dearly. Our actions have consequences and like a pebble dropped in a pond the ripples reach far and wide.  We pass our sins on to our children, our sins find us, truth is always revealed, if not immediately, it will come to light. Lies do not remain silent. (I Samuel and I Kings)

Jesus promises us we will be royalty with all its rights and privileges if we trust in Him.  We are members of the royal kingdom now, but in the near future we will be wed to The KING, dressed in royal garments, feasting on rich delicacies, receiving our crowns (yes plural, crowns) and living in mansions designed and built just for us.  This is not fiction! This is reality for every believer in Jesus. This promise has a future guarantee. Until then we must live in the war zone.

As the New Year begins, take time to ask the Lord to search your heart and bring to light any unconfessed sin. (Psalm 139:23-24)   This is not a pleasant endeavor but is so worth the reward of renewed fellowship with the Lord and you are so much more able to hear His direction for your life and the lives you influence every day.  Each minute that passes we are one step closer to our King’s coronation and His declaration of His chosen before the foundation of the world Bride. (Ephesians 1:4) Ours will be a Kingdom of peace and no more war!  (Isaiah 2:4) We will ride regal white steeds as we follow the KIng. (Revelation 19:11-16) We will rule and reign forever! (Psalm 8) Who knew this promise of God was planted in the heart of every child before birth and they seek its fulfillment even in play.

Jesus on White Horse

Treading in Clear Waters

Yvonne H. Jones