Eternal King
Sunday 7th May 2023
His dominion is an eternal dominion;
his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
Daniel 4:34 (NIV)
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
Eternal King
One of the most moving moments in the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II last September took place at the committal in St George’s Chapel at Windsor. It was when the orb and sceptre, symbols of her reign, were removed from her coffin and placed on the ‘altar’, ready to be transferred to her successor, who would be crowned King Charles III in Westminster Abbey this Saturday.
It was a vivid reminder that she could not take her authority to the grave. It had to be passed to another. Her reign had been granted to her for a moment – a long moment, to be sure, of over 70 years – and that moment was now over. It was also a sign that she had been given her authority by God himself, and now she had to give it back to him.
Thankfully, with her Christian faith, the Queen was well aware of these realities and sought during her reign to be a faithful servant of her heavenly King.
King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had to learn these lessons – and learn them he did through being humbled by the God whom he learned to call “the Most High.” And it led him to declare that “His dominion is an eternal dominion… He does what he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth.”
All this teaches us where to give our allegiance. King Charles may be due a measure of allegiance from citizens of the United Kingdom, but it should never be an absolute allegiance. And the more he gives his own allegiance to the King of Kings, the better the king of this nation he will be.
Our Father in heaven, your kingdom come, for the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.
Yours warmly, in Christ,
Chris Hobbs (Senior Minister)