My King

The Names of God

My King

"Your eyes will see the King in His beauty; they will see the land that is very far off." Isaiah 33:17

Growing up in Norway during the post-war years, I loved our king. The tales of his kindness and courage during the Nazi occupation had continued to inspire our nation, and he became my model for goodness and courage. Like him, I wanted to be brave enough to die rather than surrender to any enemy.

Years later I learned that this heroic leader was nothing compared to my heavenly King. Yet my earthly king and his inspiring legacy built a mental picture of pure and approachable majesty that I continue to treasure. I began to see that we, His bride and Church, resemble a nation of loyal subjects who -

love and obey their King

discover in their common goal and spiritual warfare a blessed fellowship that can rarely be found apart from pain and persecution

refuse to compromise, and

persevere until death -- or until the war is won.

But no finite human words or imitations can do justice to the greatness and glory of the Sovereign Ruler of the universe. Some of His faithful servants have tried to share what they saw of His glory, but their finite, earthly words offer only glimpses of His heavenly splendor:

Isaiah "saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple." Isaiah 6:1

Three of His disciples saw Him "transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light." Matthew 17:2

The Psalmist knew well that earthly rulers would rebel. Now as then they conspire together to unseat our King, defeat His people and silence His Word:

"Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
'Let us break Their bonds in pieces and cast away Their cords from us."
He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision.
Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
'Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion.'...
Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him." Psalm 2:1-6, 12

Ezekiel saw this almighty King and wrote, "Like the appearance of a rainbow in a cloud on a rainy day, so was the appearance of the brightness all around it. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. So when I saw it, I fell on my face...." Ezekiel 1:28

John, too, fell at the feet of Him whose "countenance was like the sun shining in its strength." [Revelation 1:16] Decades earlier, this beloved disciple had watched his beloved Master enter Jerusalem riding humbly on a donkey. Now he bowed before the glorified, triumphant King of Kings.

This mighty King now dwells in me! The amazing wonder of God's eternal mystery is "Christ in you, the hope of glory!" Colossians 1:27

I was "born again" into His Kingdom when I trusted and received this majestic King as my Savior and Lord. Now He is patiently teaching me the thoughts and ways of the Kingdom; for I can enjoy the wonderful promises and privileges of my royal relationship only as I fully enter into my new citizenship. "For our citizenship is in heaven..." Philippians 3:20

I cannot carry the keys to His armory and treasure house unless I share the concerns and fight the battles of the Kingdom. For the power and authority of the King are effective only for carrying out His purposes -- not for gratifying my contrary earthly wants.

Having crossed the border with my King, I hear His gentle reminder, "Don't look back. You now belong to me! If you will commit yourself totally to Me and My purpose, the joy we will share for eternity is beyond anything you can imagine. "

So, now I must trust, follow and obey my King. My homeland is heaven, and I can never again be comfortable living the life of the world. Walking with Jesus and sharing His joys and concerns, I keep learning more about the life of peace and victory in the wonderful presence of my King.

Each day He sends me into the world as His ambassador. On my own, I only stumble and fall, distorting His message and shaming my King. But by His grace, I may honor Him and reflect His goodness. Since He knows my needs and weaknesses, He not only equips me for service, He also intercedes for me so that I not forget or neglect His promised provision for daily service. In His prayer for His disciples two thousand years ago, He added a special reference to you and me:

"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me." John 17:20-21 [also Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:26-27; 1 John 2:1]

One day, after the sound of the seventh trumpet and the cleansing of the earth, we will celebrate together and sing the songs of heaven. For the "kingdoms of this world [will] have become the kingdoms of our Lord... and He shall reign forever and ever!" Revelation 11:16

"Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen." Revelation 11:17

Precious King, take my hand and lead me - hour by hour and day by day. Make me a vessel fit for your life, and fill me to overflowing with your sweet love and overcoming life. Then draw my heart close to yours, so that I would hear your voice and obey your Word in the midst of all the world's tempting distractions and confusing demands. Thank you, my Lord and my King. How great Thou art!

References: Eternity

Deuteronomy 1:21-26, 36, 7:7-18; Psalms 24:8, 84:3, 147:13; Isaiah 6:1-13;

Daniel 7:9-14; Luke 10:9, 12:31-32, 17:20-21, 18:17; Matthew 24:30-31, 25:31;

John 3-5, 17:22-23, 18:36-37; Acts 14:22; Romans 5:17, 14:17; 2 Corinthians 5:20;

Colossians 1:13; 1 Timothy 1:17; Revelation 1:13-17, 5:10, 11:15-17, 19:16, 20:4, 22:5.

What it means to be a Christian