Were you involved in the Platinum Jubilee celebrations in any way? As a spectator? A Television Viewer?
What a historic moment! What a spectacle! What celebrations! Yet still a passing moment in time…
Do you long for stability and certainty in this uncertain world?
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After the Word comes a prayer. Scroll down a little way and find this month’s blessing videoed especially for you!
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As a little boy, I had mumps at the time of the Queen’s coronation. My parents opened my bedroom window and held me up so I could see down into our street. I was too unwell to understand what was displayed in front of me. Bunting and flags flew the length of the road, as did trestle tables seating our neighbours, stacked with simple sandwiches. (Food rationing had not totally ended.) Someone looked up and saw me, waved, and sent up a bazooka (not the exploding type! The musical toy!) That was followed by a small flag for waving, exactly as we saw over the celebratory weekend, and a coronation mug. (Followed months later by a tea tin and a biscuit tin with images of the coronation on them. I couldn’t see the point at the time.)
Now, 70 years later, I have witnessed the same Queen celebrate her Platinum Jubilee, taking her unique place in history, ruling through 70 years. Almost all my lifetime.
Having committed her life to service when aged 21, she has lived out her promise in full public view, through good times and bad, including personal loss and anguish. As the tens of thousands cheered, we could muse that she is fully deserving of the thanks and celebrations that so many participated in or enjoyed.
Queen Elizabeth has constantly affirmed that it is her faith which undergirds her commitment and service. At times she has been quite publicly vocal about it.
However much a figure of stability the Queen has been during most of our lifetimes, the Queen will not reign forever.
You might remember the balcony scene where she stood with Princes Charles, William, and George. There were headlines – the succession is secure for the next three generations. Well, yes and no. It looks that way today, but who knows whether the monarchy will survive that long? Or still be there but look very different? Ah yes, that’s perhaps more likely.
There are no guarantees in today’s world.
In contrast to the Platinum Jubilee, The current UK Prime Minister is in a complex and uncertain personal situation. Who would have thought that the one who led the government into a massive electoral victory so recently could have been voted down by 40% of his own colleagues such a short time later?
Will he still be in place next year? Who knows?
The future in life is always uncertain.
Back to the Jubilee; on Saturday evening there was a huge public concert. It came, and it went.
It’s wonderful, and strengthening, to remember amidst the valid acknowledgement, admiration, and thanksgiving for the Queen that there is a King of Kings who is ruling today, who ruled yesterday, and who will rule through all tomorrows and eternity. He too is worthy of our acknowledgement, admiration, and thanksgiving.
Let’s remember a surpassing party to come with which you might be directly involved. It is coming, and it will never end. It’s guaranteed!
Revelation 14:2-3
…And behold, there stood the Lamb… And I heard a voice from heaven like the roar of many waters and like the sound of loud thunder. The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, and they were singing a new song before the throne… No-one could learn that song except the redeemed from the earth.
Revelation 19:6
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, ”Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory…”.
You are personally invited to this party. You have a place prepared. Are you planning on being there?
And there’s more. So much more…
Behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before him. And dominion and glory was given him, and a Kingdom, that all peoples, nations and languages, should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which shall not pass away, and his Kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
Daniel 7:13-14
Revelation 19:6-7
And I heard as the sound of a great multitude, and as the sound of many waters, and as the sound of strong thunders, saying, Hallelujah for the Lord God omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and we will give glory to him.
Revelation 11:15-17
And there were great voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ. And he will reign forever and ever”. And the twenty-four elders sitting before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshipped God, saying “We thank you O Lord God Almighty who is and who was and who is coming, because you took your great power and reigned.
What a time it will be. Majesty; Glory; Celebration; Full Salvation. Awe; and overwhelming joy erupting in unstoppable praise.
Are you ready…? It could start at any moment….
A Prayer
Heavenly father, in your wisdom you sent wisdom into the world in the form of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for such a gift. I thank you that you never make empty promises; that Jesus is reigning at your right hand this very moment, and that his Kingdom will last forever.
Father, you have filled me with joy by your Holy Spirit because you have given me a name, a place and a home. Thank you, Father. Holy Spirit, as I fill my lungs with air, will you fill my whole being with your presence right now. Please be my counsellor, companion, and helper through every day of my physical lifetime and lead me at last into the welcoming presence of Jesus at the end. Please fill me with joy because of the guarantees of an inheritance won for me by Jesus.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I thank you, worship you and rejoice in you because of who you are and what you have done for me. Amen
A Blessing
Are you confident of being there? Or do you find yourself plagued by doubts? Let us know – it will help others. Have you found this Word helpful? Then please let us know – we all need encouragement – and forward it to others.
© Roy Godwin 2022