His Kingly Presence

Some years ago, in Time magazine, there was an article by a Mr. Von Hoerner stating that the only hope for our world was to listen intently for radioed advice from older civilizations out in space in order to avoid self‑annihilation.

A Christian clergyman, in the next issue, commented that actually this longed‑for‑advice had arrived. In fact, it came a little over 1900 years ago...loud and clear. Illiterate shepherds on Judean hills understood. A physician named Luke decoded the message, and no doubt that somewhere in Von Hoerner's library he would find a dust‑covered copy of this message from outer space. The clergyman said that the advice and directions for preventing human self‑destruction were there in black and white. More than that, a purpose for being and a hope which sees beyond the years, was all there too.

In the very enjoyable and classic musical production called "South Pacific" we find Mary Martin singing the song: "I'm stuck like a dope, with a thing called hope. I can't get it out of my mind."

And so the Old testament is a record of man's search for the Kingdom of God, and the everlasting hope that someday, there would come a Messiah who would put everything in perspective. It would be someone who would take this evil old world, and make it into a good one...someone who would stop the wars, and halt the injustice and reign as a king of peace.

Again and again, the Old Testament affirmed, "Behold, the days are coming!" But somehow, the King never came. They kept hoping, and kept looking, but the Messiah they looked for never came.

The story is told about a young lady who went to the dentist and after the dentist had worked on her for awhile, she said apprehensively: "Doctor, I think you've pulled the wrong tooth!" "Be patient," replied the doctor, "I'll get to it!"

Somehow the Hebrew people felt that kind of pain. They had been slaves in Egypt; they had wandered in the wilderness; they had begun to get power through the kingship of David, and then suddenly, they were over‑powered and taken into captivity. "Oh Lord, will it never end?" And all they seemed to hear was, "Be patient, I'll get around to it!"

Unfortunately, when the Messiah did come, they failed to recognize Him. But so do we! Too often, we live as though there was no King of love to surround us...no Kingly Presence to over‑ shadow us. But today, it is our distinct pleasure and responsibility to tell you that the King of Kings is in our midst. Not only is He coming, but He is already in our world today, and every day. The big question really is, "Will you recognize His Kingly Presence in your life and activities?" Will you go a‑walking and a‑serving Him from now on?