King

“And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day the Lord will be one and his name one.” Zechariah 14:9

I for one, look forward to that day.  Most, I suspect, do not.

Why?

Most of us don’t want a king.  Most of us revel in our autonomy.  Myself included.  But, as I look at society, our much beloved autonomy seems to be slowly breaking down into chaos. As it said in Judges 21:25, “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

We’re coming to that; it can be clearly seen these days in many of our churches.  And likely, if I am really honest, I am as guilty of this as anyone.

That is why I look forward to the day when the Lord will be king over all the earth.

It will not be a time of heavy handed authoritative ruling.  Let’s be reminded about a few things regarding this king. He is the king who “became flesh and dwelt among us…full of grace and truth.”  He is the king that promises whoever “follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” He is the king that says, “in me you may have peace.” He is the king that says if we are willing to do his will, he will call us his, “brother and sister and mother.”

In short, this is the king that says he came that we might “have life and have it abundantly.”

I believe this is the king that seems to far more want to bless people than condemn them, although, as with any ruler, we need to realize that condemnation is always a very real possibility. We have choices in life, and we will reap from what we choose.

I suspect that when this king comes, many who oppose him now, will turn around and wonder, ‘Why was I so afraid of him?’ At least, that is a hope I have.

“And the Lord will be king over all the earth. On that day the Lord will be one and his name one.”

I for one, look forward to that day.  And may the Lord out God continue to use me to convince others to look forward to that day also.