King Eternal

In 2022, the people of the United Kingdom and the British Commonwealth celebrated the platinum jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

This signified that the ninety-six-year-old queen had reigned for a record-breaking seventy years, the longest of any British monarch in history, surpassing Queen Victoria. But the national celebration would soon give way to mourning.

As a young woman in her twenties, Elizabeth had pledged to her people that her whole life would be devoted to their service, and indeed, she gave a lifetime of selfless devotion to duty. During the jubilee celebrations and following her death a few months later, tributes flowed in from around the world, lauding the queen’s many decades of loyal and dedicated service. She was recognized as a unifying presence in Britain’s national life and praised for providing stability and continuity through difficult times. Succeeding her father, King George VI, upon his death in 1952, Elizabeth had been the monarch throughout my lifetime.

By contrast, my grandparents saw the close of Victoria’s reign and a total of four different kings come and go before Elizabeth’s accession to the throne.

One of those preceding kings, Edward VIII, reigned for less than a year before abdicating. While there may be many a worthy head of state, the psalmist warns, “Do not put your trust in princes” (Psalm 146:3, NIV), for mere mortals cannot save.

Time will run out for even the best of earthly rulers, and all their plans will come to nothing. However, as believers, we are blessed to have an eternal King, a truly benevolent monarch who not only is the Creator of heaven and earth but also tenderly cares for all His creatures. He will never abdicate or be succeeded. He alone remains faithful forever.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does (Psalm 145:13, NIV).

Let us give praise and honor to our eternal King!

Jennifer M. Baldwin