Can you believe King Louis XIV occupied the French throne for seventy-two years? That’s a longer reign than all but about ten rulers in world history. Yet it’s only a blip in time compared to the King who reigns eternally.
Moses had the privilege of reminding the Hebrew people about their God and King, Yahweh. The children of Israel who came under Moses’ leadership had painful memories of four hundred years of servitude to a series of Egyptian rulers.
Each of those pharaohs held power, but each one was temporary and terminal. Seeing the waves of the Red Sea crash over the Egyptian army, Moses knew that sad chapter of Israel’s history was over.
Ahead of them was a new life with “the eternal God” (Deuteronomy 33:27) as their King, who would reign over them “for ever and ever” (Exodus 15:18).
Centuries later when the people of Israel balked at God being their King and clamored for an earthly ruler so they could be like all the other nations (see 1 Samuel 8), they began to watch their own kings come and go.
They learned—often through pain and heartache—that no earthly ruler can provide long-term security or prosperity.
Today we live in a world where corrupt leaders are common and even our best leaders are imperfect and short-term.
We need to be reminded that God is the King of kings. Because He’s good, His reign is too. Because He’s wise, He won’t make mistakes.
Because He’s sovereign, we can trust that events are never beyond His control.
And because He’s eternal, we don’t have to fear Him handing over power to some other leader who might not be so wise or good.
The eternal King of kings will one day rule in a very public, physical, literal, and universal way. Meanwhile, we can install Yahweh, the eternal God and King, as the permanent spiritual ruler of our lives.
A Christian’s true citizenship is in heaven; he or she serves the King whose kingdom never ends.
Is it difficult for you to think of God as an eternal King? Why or why not?
