King

Today, the free world has a very different opinion of the purpose for a “King.” In earlier times, a King was a person chosen by a group of people to protect them and guide them as they lived their lives, perhaps even to give purpose to their lives. The person chosen was usually one with some qualities that attracted others and produced trust. The group of people being led were literally pledging their lives to this person. For personal protection, the king would try to avoid confrontation, but if necessary, he would lead his warriors into battle against the forces attacking his people. This meant not only in the visible physical arenas, but also the spiritual arenas. The Old Testament is filled with stories of the change in leadership of God’s people. It is a group of stories about revolt and reconciliation, punishment, and Grace. These people were used to working hard for anything they received from earthly masters and never acknowledged any gifts (manna or water) given by their ultimate King, even on a long journey out of Egypt after they had been set free. God described this group of people, “And the LORD said to Moses, “I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people.” – Ex. 32:9 (ESV). They were a people who were willful, beginning with Adam and Eve. But they were loved by God and a resilient people. Beyond this rejection of guidance, the people decided they wanted a visible leader, a King like the other groups of people around them. They said to Samuel, Behold, you are old and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now appoint for us a king to judge [guide] us like all the nations.” - 1 Sam. 8:5 (ESV). After a stern warning about what it would mean to have a king, the people chose to keep their request for a visible leader. God answered this rejection by giving them a man tall and handsome among other humans, from the tribe of Benjamin. Saul however, failed to understand that God was and always would be King of these people. After Saul, came David, a man after God’s own heart. David had his own difficulties and faults, but he wanted what God wanted, and would forever be remembered in this way. Again, revolt and reconciliation, punishment and Grace described the life of these people, until a new king was born. This time the original King’s own son would properly carry out all the activities God the Father wanted done. With this action, the son, the Prince, fought for freedom and exchanged his physical life to defeat the enemy of a stiff-necked people’s spirituality and provide Peace with God. The victor did not leave this stiff-necked people with no continuing help in the treacherous world in which they lived. For those who would receive Him as King, He promised not only to dwell within them as a Holy Spirit, but by doing so, guarantee eternal life with Him. This indwelling Holy Spirit was charged with molding and shaping these people into the humans they should be, as much as each would allow. This meant that those who really viewed God as King, would travel a unique individual journey along a spiritual pathway toward perfection and into eternity with the King. This same opportunity is available today for anyone who will choose Jehovah God as King. On this journey, God’s followers will experience ups and downs, twists and turns, but all events and feelings come with the most powerful entity that exists living within us. When we follow him, He constantly protects us from the many unseen dangers as well as many of the visible ones. Christians have a King who leads us to a victory over all life’s spiritual and physical struggles.