Who is This King?

Give me liberty or give me death (Patrick Henry, 1775). This year, in fact, this month marks the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution. All through the northeast reenactments, celebrations, and ceremonies will be held over the next year to remember the birth of America and its republic. It was a time in American history where the people declared their independence from a monarch who didn’t understand them. They cried out “who is this king over us.” Flash forward 250 years, it’s hard at times for us to understand the idea of a singular ruler over our life and society. The idea is so far removed from our daily walk that we can have a hard time putting it in perspective.

But the truth is, as believers, if this is one critical piece of the faith we need to understand is that there is a ruler over our lives. In fact, He is the ruler over all things past, present and future. With Him there is no end of His reign. Even one of the greatest kings in the Old Testament declared his allegiance to the Almighty. David wrote this psalm to reflect his understanding of who God is:

The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior. Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob. Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty — he is the King of glory (Psalm 24 NIV).

Who is this King? He is the Lord Almighty. The one who was, is, and is to come. The maker and ruler over all of creation. Sure, even in this day and age, we can declare our independence from the king of glory. We can start our own revolution to live the life we believe we want. But what will it give us in the end? Will it hold any eternal value? Or would we end up like the prodigal son longing to be back in the father’s house.

Life is about choice. In this life, there are really only two. To choose to follow the King of Glory. The one who established the earth and continues to work out His plan for salvation. Or we can choose our own path with our own plans and interests in mind. Ironically, the path of God the King leads to liberty and freedom and the path of independence for ourselves can only lead to death and decay. Scripture reveals this truth time and again. So it may be counter intuitive within our modern American context and even as we remember Patrick Henry’s words and the American cause for independence, but true life and liberty can only be found in service of the King of Glory! Long Live The King!