WORSHIP THE KING Kay Keith Peebles 10/24/20 20.40
The people who live in a country that has a democratic electoral process do not have the same perspective of a kingdom as people who live in a country that has a ruling monarch. England has a monarch but is ruled by a democratic electoral process. Their queen does not rule like the typical king or queen in other countries.
Biblical kings had complete authority over the nations they ruled. When a king made a decree it was the law of the land and no one could change it. The people within the kingdom were “subjects” to the king and his rule. The king set the amount of taxes the people paid. The land may or may not be owned by the individual. Everything within the kingdom was subject to the will of the king. The only “rights” the people had were those the king allowed them to possess. His successor would be one of his offspring unless the kingdom was conquered by another king and the laws were subject to change with each new ruler.
Israel had a long history of kings beginning with King Saul. The people had demanded the Lord give them an earthly king. (See 1 Samuel 8:1-10). It was an affront to the Lord because He was to be their only King. Many of the ensuing kings of Israel were evil leaders that dealt treacherously with the people because they rejected the Lordship of God. Consequently, the people suffered many calamities and fell in and out of idolatry over and over again.
“When the righteous are in authority and become great, the people rejoice; but when the wicked man rules, the people groan and sigh.” Proverbs 29:2.
The most righteous king who ruled Israel in the Old Testament times was King David. He loved the Lord with all his heart and made Him King over his heart. When the Ark of the Covenant was brought back to Israel, David danced before the Lord in such abandonment of proper decorum it embarrassed his wife Michal. He loved the Lord so much he desired to build Him a “house” temple in which to dwell permanently among the people. David amassed great riches from his kingdom and from his own personal treasury to fund the building of the temple.
Isaiah prophesied about a King who was coming whose reign would be eternal and more powerful than all other kings and kingdoms in the earth. “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:6-7.
“For the LORD is our Judge, The LORD is our Ruler, The LORD is our King; He will save us.” Isaiah 33:22.
“There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy [the one God who has the absolute power of life and death]…” James 4:12.
The Old and New Testaments of the Bible agree that there is only one righteous King and that is the Messiah Jesus. The following scriptures will put to rest any doubt we may have in His complete Sovereignty, Power, Authority and right to rule and reign over the entire universe.
Jesus is King. He Rules over all the heavens and the earth and His kingdom is eternal. “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Timothy 1:17.
Jesus is the King of Glory Who is awesome in majesty. “Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts. He is the King of glory.” Psalm 24:7-10.
Jesus is the King of Heaven who sits on His throne in heaven. “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, all of whose works are truth and His ways Justice…” Daniel 4:37.
Jesus is the King of Israel. “Phillip found Nathanael and said to him. ‘We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote-Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. And Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Phillip said to him, ‘Come and see’. Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said to him, ‘Behold an Israelite indeed, in who is no deceit!” Nathanael said to Him, ‘How do You know me?’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Before Phillip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.’ Nathanael answered and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel.” John 1:45-49.
Jesus is the King of the Jews. He is the Ruler of Israel. “Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” John 19:19.
Jesus is the King of the Nations. His government is Sovereign above all governments and all people. “They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways. O king of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.” Revelation 15:3-4.
Jesus is the King of all Kings. There is no other ruler higher than His throne. All other kings will bow before Him one day. “And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.” Revelation 19:16.
Jesus is King Over All the Earth. His Authority covers the whole world. “For the LORD Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. He will subdue the peoples under us, And the nations under our feet.” Psalm 47:2-3.
In these times of great uncertainty, it is wonderful to know that there is a Righteous Ruler who has complete authority and is not troubled or shaken. He is not wringing His hands and pacing the floor of heaven wondering what is going on. He sees the beginning from the end! He is the Author and the Finisher of the faith. He allows us all the freedom to make our own choices but in the end, He will have the last say! In the end, He will clearly use His power and authority to close out the ages and take those who whole heartedly believe in Him to heaven. Every choice we make matters because our choices today will direct our path tomorrow.
May we hold fast to the High Call in Jesus Christ, not veering to the right or the left. May we remain stable and fixed in our faith, knowing that He is working out everything for our good. Even though this year has been one of uncertainty and chaos, He is certain and He is ruling above it all. When we keep our eyes on Him there is no fear, doubt or concern. No matter what comes our way we can still “trust in Him, lean not to our own understanding and in all our ways acknowledge Him and He WILL direct our path”. Thank God we are not alone! Thank God we serve a righteous King who has all power and authority over everything we face.
There are many idols mankind has erected and worshipped but there is only One who is worthy of all our worship and praise: King Jesus! Worship the King who has never sinned. Worship the King who rules in Righteousness and Justice. Worship the King who redeemed us from our sin by dying in our place. Worship the King whose Laws are Just, His Word is True and His Kingdom is Eternal. Worship the King who prefers Mercy over Judgment. Worship the King whose heart is motivated by pure LOVE! Worship the King who has supplied us with good things and leads us into all Truth. Worship the King who breathed life into us and laid down His life for us. Worship the King who is coming back SOON to take His people to heaven to live with Him eternally. Jesus is His name. May we give all the glory to God. Worship the King of all Kings and the Lord of all Lords, who is the only One worthy!
