Devotionals

---

The King is coming ... are you ready?

It is possible that some of those reading this would have had the privilege of meeting the Queen, the late Queen Mother or other members of the British Royal Family. I haven't as yet. However, a friend and I had the privilege a few years ago of joining with thousands to pay respects to the late Queen Mother. There were three things that stood out during that event:

A long wait. We queued for four and a half hours to reach our destination, Westminster Hall. Ultimately we were rewarded for our wait!

Tight security! Before we were permitted entry to Westminster Hall, we had to pass through security checks to make sure we had no excess baggage and nothing potentially dangerous with us.

An awesome stillness and an awesome sight! The silence in the auditorium could literally be felt. In the centre of the hall was the coffin. It was placed high on a purple-draped platform with the Sovereign's crown placed atop thereof. Each corner of the platform was guarded around the clock by units from the Sovereign's Bodyguard, Foot Guards and the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.

This experience, in a different way, turned my thoughts to the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the soon-coming King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We are waiting, yes longing, to see our King, our Redeemer and Risen Saviour!

If we have met and accepted the Lord Jesus as our personal Saviour, then we have a glorious Hope. Our wait will be rewarded - soon! Our waiting time may be difficult - terrorism, increased crime and violence, global financial instability, to mention but a few. Romans chapter 8 reminds us that "creation looks forward to the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth ...we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory " (Further study: Rom 8; Philippians 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 1:10 & Hebrews 9:28)

The security check reminded me of the fact that we can take nothing with us. Isaiah 64:6 tells us: "We are all infected with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags ..." Jesus "saved us, not because of the righteous things we have done, but because of His mercy" (Titus 3:5). Even as born-again believers in Jesus, we need to search our hearts, seek cleansing and forgiveness from sin. "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life." (Psalm 139:23&24) "You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected" (Luke 12:40)

The stillness and awesomeness of the event above cannot be compared with the glory and splendour that awaits us when we see our Risen King, People fell silent as they entered the hall. I wonder how we will react when we see the King of Kings, the living and Risen Lord Jesus. Will we bow down and worship and shout for joy? You and I need to answer this question for ourselves. One thing we do know is "that at the Name of Jesus every knee (will) bow ... and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of the Father" (Philippians 2:10-11)

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE