Who is this King of Glory?

Last evening, while praising the Lord with His saints at the Church life-group meeting, I was reflecting on the glory of God’s majesty. While we sang, “When the oceans rise and thunders roar; I will soar with You above the storm; Father, You are King over the flood; I will be still and know You are God,” I worshipped God for the King He is. Here are some of the aspects of God’s kingship that I hope would encourage you as it does me.

The Bible tells us that God is the eternal King. Unlike all rulers who have a lifetime, the God of heaven is eternal. He is the great I AM; who was and is and is to come. He is the same faithful God. He never changes. As dependable and trustworthy He was in the beginning, He is now and will always be. This King is good. He is wise. He is righteous and fair and just. He is patient. He is merciful and overflowing with compassion. His love never fails, it never gives up and it never runs out on us.

The next thing we learn of this King is that His reign never ends. Kingdoms have risen in past centuries and fallen, never to rise again. But the kingdom of our God, it endures forever. Governments are elected for a term. Presidents lord it over nations for possibly two terms, each no more than four or five years. Dictators may dominate with ruthlessness over a longer period but our God? He is on the throne, ruling in majesty and righteousness from one generation to another.

A third thing we learn from the Bible is that the King of heaven is the sovereign, all-powerful King. Our God is not merely a monarch that has position but no authority. He rules with power, majesty and glory. There is nothing that exists in heaven, or on earth, or under the earth that is outside His sovereign rule. His power and control is over all things. His dominion is over all things. His authority is over everything. Unlike each country on earth where there are clearly demarcated boundaries and the government’s rule or authority ceases at the boundary of that country, the dominion of our God has no end. It has no limits.

The kingdom of our God is unlike any other. It is the kingdom of light. In it there is no darkness. Evil, fear, sickness, disease, poverty, curse—these things do not exist in the kingdom of God.

The kingdom of our God is righteous. There is always justice. In God there is no partiality. His law holds good for the strong and the weak; the rich and the poor; the great and the small. “What one sows, one reaps” is the basic principle of God’s justice. Each one is recompensed according to what he does.

In the kingdom of God there is peace. Because the King who sits on the throne rules with sovereignty and power, there is no need for fear. It is for this very reason that Paul tells the Philippians, “Be anxious for nothing but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, make your request known to God.” What follows is the reason why we should be anxious for nothing. Since our God rules and reigns in majesty and might, the peace that flows from Him assures us that it is alright to be still. His peace which surpasses all understanding comforts us to rest even when the storm is fierce and appears to swallow us alive (Psa. 124:2-5). This is why it surpasses understanding.

Also in God’s kingdom there is true joy; gladness that is genuine, lasting and is not taken away. I read with much amusement an advertisement that goes like this—Assured happiness to last a lifetime. Two bedroom flat starting at Rupees xxx. The image flashes a “happy” couple staring at each other with beaming smiles. Peel off the deceptive layer of false promises and it’s soon evident that assured, lasting joy comes only from God. No one or nothing else can give that. A Ferrari sports car may bring happiness for some time before we tire of it. The latest iPhone or fancy gadget may capture our attention for a time before our restless heart searches for true happiness in something else. A free trip around the world may bring excitement as long as the trip lasts. Once it's over, like a finished bar of chocolate, we have only a lingering memory. But the joy that the Lord gives is not only something that we can be filled with, our cups running over; but the Bible tells us that it is also our strength.

Let us therefore be afraid no longer. Our God is on the throne. Let us be anxious for nothing but with thanksgiving and prayer come before Him in confidence. Our God rules in majesty and power. Nothing is too difficult for Him. Let us trust in Him with sure hope that we will never be ashamed. Nay! We will never ever be disappointed. May He always be our hiding place and our strong tower; for the eternal God is our refuge and underneath are His everlasting arms.

To Thee O King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. For Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever.