Tea with the Queen?

 

READ Psalm 61–65

The closest we came was the eastern gate of Balmoral Castle near the Dee River. We knew she was there; the flag was flying. Our car pointed toward the gate and two armed guards stepped out and stood in front of us. We turned left on Deeside and chuckled, “Looks like we won’t have tea with the Queen today.”

This morning while watching the funeral, someone from the crowd was quoted as saying, “It feels like we have lost a member of our family.” I’ve not been a royal-watcher or anything like that, but felt the same way. Now, as I remember yesterday’s sermon at our church, that statement rings true. Those who believe in Jesus Christ are family, the children of God, and the death of any one of us is the death of a family member.

Queen Elizabeth II was a believer in Jesus Christ. I wondered if anyone had ever prayed these verses concerning her:

Prolong the life of the (queen); may (her) years endure to all generations! May (she) be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over (her)! (Psalm 61:6–7)

They fit. God made it happen. She was gracious, steadfast, definitely unique in a world of ruthless political powers. I feel about her death the same way as when Billy Graham died; we have lost a mighty leader for Christ, but also a brother in Christ, and now a sister. But here is something else. From the quotes I’ve read about her, this Queen could have said:

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. (62:1–2)

She lived that way and while the respect for her is shown on nearly every television network, the Gospel message she believed has also been heard, maybe for the first time for some, and in many nations and households. God honored her life and He is honored in her death. As I watched her coffin lowered into the crypt, the song welled up in my heart: “Up from the grave He arose, like a mighty triumph o’er His foes . . . .” and  I realized that as grand as her exit from this world has been, her welcome into the next world is even grander, and Queen Elizabeth II is now more alive than ever before!

For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. (62:5–7)

The Queen rejoiced in God. All who trust in Him shall praise and exult Him for we will see the day when the mouths of all liars will be stopped and the truth of God will prevail. (63:11) As I focus on that reality, and on the glory of entering the presence of God and being safe in His care forever, grief turns a corner. Like the guards at the gate of her castle, the armies of heaven hold her secure in His care. She is forever safe, reigning with Christ, a victory far greater than even the esteem held here in this world. Instead of thinking of our loss, I think of her gain; she is with Jesus and I feel a sustaining sense of her great joy!

Praise is due to you, O God, in Zion, and to you shall vows be performed. O you who hear prayer, to you shall all flesh come. (65:1–2)

Lord again, this is my prayer: May Your Spirit speak through the words, the ceremony, the faith displayed and described this day. Speak the good news of Jesus Christ to thousands who pay tribute to Your child, that her life and her death draws them to You. May many hear Your message to come, to give their lives to You. I’m certain this would be her greatest blessing and joy to see them honor You and one day join her around Your throne, not at all about tea but about worshiping You forever.

 

Prayer please...

NOTE: Today about 9:15 my nose started to bleed, or rather gushed. I finally got hold of hubby on the phone and off we went to the ER. No other solution but to pack it. Most painful procedure. Packing stays in until Friday or longer depending whether this severe pressure stops it. I'm in pain, cannot breathe except through my mouth, cannot hear anything since my sinuses are plugged totally to my ears, and am not eating as moving my jaw increases the pressure and the pain. For that reason, I may not be posting in the next two or three days. I'll have devotions and get back as soon as the pounding in my skull allows it. I just pray that I'll be able to go to my sister's 'celebration of life' on Saturday. It is a 4 hour drive from here. My hubby is doing the eulogy.

Saying just the right words . . .

Genesis 2; Matthew 2; Ezra 2; Acts 2

People who live in the north have several words for ‘snow’ depending on who did the research. However, the New Testament DOES use at least two Greek terms for “word” — one being “logos” which is a large concept about knowledge and about Jesus. The other is “rhema” which is more intimate and personal. Some define it as “God speaking to the need of the moment.”

In reading Acts 2, I notice that Peter used “rhema” as he spoke to the Jews after a mixed crowd had gathered to hear the disciples speaking in various languages that they could understand.

But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words (rhema). (Acts 2:14)

While this could simply refer to literally speaking in a language they could understand, in context it seems to refer to the message Peter he gave to the Jews who were listening. They spoke the same language as Peter so he didn’t need to speak in a different language; they just needed to understand what he was telling them. Since Peter was “filled with the Spirit” (verse 4), it seems he was telling them specifically what they needed to hear from God. This included:

“Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it . . .  Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing . . .  Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” (Acts 2:22-24; 33; 36)

My thoughts are confirmed by the results. From my experience, just reading the Bible is not as vital as hearing “rhema” for a direct and personal word from God changes my life. Sometimes those words are strong and direct, even hard to hear. In this case, Peter’s rhema changed these listeners . . .

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit . . . So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. (Acts 2:37–38; 41)

Oh my, this is significant for practical faith. First, I need to be filled with God’s Spirit. I also realize that when I speak, my words can change lives — if they are the words God gives me to speak. Again I am convinced that when I am with other people, it is important to pay attention, to listen and open my mouth with wisdom, saying the words the Lord gives me to say. Jesus, this is fodder for prayer. Give me ears to hear You and speak as You desire from me.

NOTE: This was a strange day. Concerns for my sister are still with me, but when my hubby was having breakfast, he said he felt nauseous, sat on the sofa and came within a hair of passing out. I was calling him to stay with me and dialing 911 at the same time. The ambulance came quickly. How scary to have 3 EMTs and 4 firemen in our small living room. Hubby spent the day in ER without further incident and without finding out what happened to cause it. The paramedic said only that his pulse was different in each arm indicating a heart issue. The doctors and the hospital did many tests and could not find anything unusual. He is home and we are both very tired.