Today, Thursday 4th Sept, April and I are driving home to the UK from France. From one country to another. We are British nationals, we belong there and enjoy all the privileges of citizenship. We are there but not quite. Now but not yet. Heading home but not quite ‘home and dry’. Isn’t that a bit like the Kingdom? Our place, as believers, is guaranteed. We have a heavenly room prepared for us. We are on our way. But there is still worldly kingdom stuff to deal with.
Over the next 4 Thursdays, we trace God’s Kingdom purposes in the sweep of scripture from the early predictions about a new world order in the OT, starting with the Psalms today. In the following weeks, we dip into Isaiah and Daniel, before landing with Jesus in week 4.
Writing a millenium before Christ, King David and other authors of the Psalms give us some fascinating clues as to the nature of God’s kingdom: it is already established, with a king (none other than God’s Son) enthroned, ruling over all nations to the ends of the earth with a sceptre of justice and a rebuke of judgement against their arrogance (Psalm 2: 5-8). It will last forever (Psalm 45:6). It is established in the heavens where he has dominion over all, including his angels, his servants and his creation (Psalm 103:19-22), all of whom delight in relaying to all generations how glorious God is (Psalm 145:10-13).
For those of us facing setbacks and seemingly impossible odds, it comes as great comfort to know that there is hope. For those who despair at the nations conspiring together against the Lord and his people (Psalm 2: 2), it is reassuring to hear that God has the situation in hand. He is dismissive of the brazen rebellion of earthly emperors and tyrannical rulers. He will break their power like smashed pieces of pottery. He has already put in place a plan to hold them to account, and he will install a new king and kingdom. This will be a place of safety and restoration for all who take their refuge in him. The Psalms shift our perspective from the soundbites and newsfeeds of earth’s rulers to the eternal plans of God; to a time of liberation from the frustration of immediate circumstances. This is not based on sentimental hope or a resigned belief that things must get better. What I love about this Kingdom – and it’s unique to the Christian faith – is that it is rooted in the time/space intervention of creator God. The birth, death and resurrection of his son in Palestine. Incredibly, writing 28 generations before Christ, David’s inklings of a new world order were spot on!
Chris is emeritus professor at Middlesex University, London, specialising in leadership development. As a chartered psychologist, his recent books observe life from unique angles: 20th-century Myanmar through the eyes of a Burmese family; bible stories from the perspective of the stones present, and just published, a light-hearted collision with rural Provence. Chris lives in the UK with his wife April, and they love gathering with the extended family in France each summer.
