You have your own Royal consort and guide ~ a Father who loves you and paid a debt for you that is greater than you will ever know.
“My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” (Psalm 63:8)
While reading some of the recent news stories covering the life of Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, I came across one particular photo that really struck a chord in my soul. The photo was taken from an angle above the Queen and Prince Philip, looking down on the royal couple dressed in full ceremonial attire, but focusing on the Duke’s hand firmly holding the Queen’s white gloved hand.
Many of the news reports showed the genuine affection between the couple throughout their 73 year marriage, and I noticed in particular how often the Duke would offer the Queen a hand to escort or accompany her, both in public and private.
In speaking of her husband, the Queen made a beautiful statement on the couple’s 50th anniversary:
“He has, quite simply, been my strength and stay all these years, and I, and his whole family, and this and many other countries, owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim, or we shall ever know.”
The Duke’s steadying hand held hers for 73 years, escorting her through ceremony and public duty, times of loss and mourning, times of war and peace, economic crisis and recovery, times of adversity and blessing, and most recently throughout a global pandemic. Alongside her Christian faith, it seems that he truly was her strength and guide, enabling her to reign for 70 years with grace and dignity.
What a wonderful picture of how God keeps hold of our hand as we walk through life. The steadying hand of the Lord is with us always, holding us in his palm for our entire lifetime. You have your own Royal consort and guide ~ a Father who loves you and paid a debt for you that is greater than you will ever know. For you too are royalty, the son or daughter of the King of Kings. Listen to his words:
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.” (Isaiah 41: 13)
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41: 10)
He has promised that nothing can snatch us out of his hand (John 10:29), for he is greater than all. His hand laid the foundation of the earth and spread out the heavens (Isaiah 48:13), and it is his hand that shatters the enemy (Exodus 15:6)
With your hand in the mighty hand of God, there is nothing this life can throw at you that you cannot handle together with him. “Fear not,” he says. He is truly your strength and your stay, the one who will shatter the enemy on your behalf. He will escort you through your entire life, through times of blessing and adversity, through the valleys and the mountaintops, through times of peace and times of trial. All you need to do is accept his hand and allow him to lead you, so that you too can walk through life with grace and dignity as the son or daughter of the King.
Prayer: Father God, thank you for being my Royal consort and guide, and for paying the debt of sin for me through the death of your Son, Jesus. Thank you for being my strength and stay as I journey through this life, and for promising to never let me go. I love you and thank you Lord, Amen.
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