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Royalty

By November 20, 2013August 30th, 2022Devotional

When I was 17, back in 1970, my Uncle Wayne made arrangements for me to spend the summer in Germany working in a factory that made precision drafting tools for Frederick Post Company, an organization that my uncle was president of.  Originally, I was supposed to go to France and spend time with the French Club from high school, but my mother was concerned about me going with my classmates. So, in an odd twist of fate, my uncle came up with a creative solution and offered me a position working in a factory located in Pfronten, Germany. First, I headed over to London on July 1, 1970, the second day of service between Chicago’s O’Hare airport and London’s Heathrow airport using the new Boeing 747. It was quite a memorable flight.

A friend and I spent three days in London before going to Germany to fulfill the requirements of my summer job where I worked making precision drafting tools for more than 5 weeks during the summer of 1970. Ironically, I made $.97 per hour, what was considered in those days to be “women’s wages” because it was not permitted for me to be paid the same amount as a German man. My, how times have changed. Anyway, on the way back the the US, we also stopped for 3 days in Paris and I was finally able to see parts of that city.

The post tonight, though, is really about London. I really liked it. I visited Harrod’s and saw the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, as well as a number of other sites that are famous London landmarks, such as Westminster Abbey. I have always enjoyed history and England is filled with it.

Janet and I finally returned to England several years ago to take a cruise around Great Britain after spending several days in London. Although we had both travelled to London back in 1970, we didn’t see each other there – Janet went with one of her friends and I went with one of mine. Even so, we have so many shared experiences throughout our lives together. Among other things, I remember how intrigued each of us was with the British form of government. And the royalty. Queen Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip.

Williamsburg is also one of our favorite places. When we look back on the origins of our country, so much of who we are as a nation is rooted in the past kings of England. Even our Bible, the King James Version, was compiled and translated in large part in Westminster Abbey. So much of our history is intertwined with the people of England. So when I was reading the news earlier today, I noticed that today is the 66th anniversary of the marriage of Queen Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip. The Prince is 92, the same age as Janet’s father when he passed away earlier this year. And both the royal couple and Janet’s folks were married 66 years this year.

But sooner or later, there will be the passing of the torch to Prince Charles, or possibly his son, Prince William, the next in line to the throne. England will have a new king. Luckily, for Christians, they need not worry about the passing of the King. Because God always has been, and will be, our King. We need not worry about the changes that come to humankind as the generations progress. In fact, God has been there from the beginning, when He created the universe “ex nihilo” – out of nothing.

The verse for tonight reflects God’s eternal time as our King. From Paul’s letter to his young friend Timothy, we are told in 1 Tim. 1:17, “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” My encouragement this evening is that you can depend on God forever and ever. My prayer is that you will always be in awe of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords – our eternal King. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…

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