I recently read Jerusalem: The Biography which tells the fascinating story of that great city. Founded by Canaanites 4,000 years ago, it became the hub of the Davidic kingdom until Judah was crushed by the Babylonian empire. Persians then ruled for a time, beginning with Cyrus, but the Greek armies of Alexander the Great conquered it. Eventually, Romans ruled the city during the time of Jesus, but their empire fell to Muslims who were replaced by Christian Crusaders and then replaced again by Muslims. In 1948, the State of Israel was founded.
Reading this incredible history, I was reminded that all these kingdoms share one feature: impermanence. Every kingdom claims greatness, but none lasts indefinitely. Some rulers are elected for a term. Others cling to power as long as they can. The worst often rule until death takes them. All are eventually replaced.
“It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes,” the Scripture teaches. Why? Some earthly rulers are good, some bad, most are in between, but none are altogether just and good. All of us are citizens of one of these temporary earthly kingdoms, but if we belong to Jesus, we are also citizens of his Kingdom that will never be conquered, replaced, or fallen.
We serve Jesus above all others. We follow his teaching as closely as we can. We trust him without reservation. In a world of constant change and upheaval, that is a truth worth remembering!
Dearest Lord, Help me to remember that I am first and foremost a citizen of your Kingdom, secure in you, whatever might be happening in my part of the world today. May I live for your Kingdom today.
Throughout This Day: Celebrate the fact that you are in the service of the almighty, righteous, holy, loving, perfect King of kings.
Reference: Montefiore, Simon Sebag. Jerusalem: The Biography. New York: Vintage, 2011.
Photo Credit: Tim Broadbent on Unsplash