We want a King We want a king like everybody else. This is what the elders say to Samuel. God tells Samuel that they are not rejecting him but God himself, and to give the people what they want. But God also tells Samuel to remind them of the cost of having an earthly king. Yet the people still insist that they want a king. We want a king… Even today, we clamor for a “king”…someone to rule over us and fight our battles. And then we wonder why we are so anxious about our earthly "Kings" and the powers they wield. Scripture reminds us that even they, rule only by God's authority. And we, are encouraged to be responsible citizens, giving the government what it is due. But we are to never forget who are true king is, and where our allegiance lies. We are citizens of God's kingdom first and foremost. And we are called to be agents of that Kingdom in this world as difficult as that may be. We want a king… One of the great joys of the Christian walk is that we have a King who is not like the kings of the Nations. While earthly “kings” demand obedience through power and coercion, Jesus invites us to be citizens of his kingdom, one that is based on love and mercy and redemption. We want the true King…and His Kingdom… Earlier this year we participated in thy kingdom come. We intentionally and earnestly spent time praying for God's kingdom to come in the lives of our friends as well as in our community. To pray for God's Kingdom to come is to recognize that we have a true king... One who is greater than any earthly power in whom we might trust. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done! Here on earth…just as it is in heaven! Amen! Come, King Jesus, Come! Blessings,
Matthew+ O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP p.229) |