The King's Speech

I have recently watched The King’s Speech again and am struck by the bravery of King George VI and his ability to overcome some horrible obstacles. If the film is to be believed, Bertie, the second son, was bullied by an unkind nanny, who preferred his older brother David (later King Edward VIII).  

At teatime, when nanny brought the children down from the nursery to be seen and to see their parents, nanny would pinch Bertie till he cried so he was removed from them. She didn’t feed him, and it took 3 years before their majesties noticed. In addition, he was naturally left-handed but forced to be right-handed. No surprise then that he stammered badly.  The story of The King’s Speech is how Lionel Logue, an Australian self-taught speech therapist, helped the Prince of York, later the King, overcome his stammer. 

However, the Duke of York was never meant to be king. He was the second son and although he was still required to give public speeches, it was nothing compared to the arduous schedule of his brother, the future king. It is well-known though that David, Edward VIII, abdicated in 1936 in order to marry the twice divorced Wallis Simpson.

The Duke of York was thrust into the limelight with his stammer and incredibly, with Queen Elizabeth (known to us as the Queen Mother), did an outstanding job of leading the nation through the Second World War. Unfortunately though, he was a heavy smoker and died of lung cancer in 1952, aged 56. His greatest legacy must surely be his daughter Queen Elizabeth II. Her death this year has merely highlighted what an amazing Godly woman she was and how fortunate the British people are to have enjoyed her long reign. The seeds for her reign and her ability to understand the role of monarchy in the 20th century were sown by her father.

This just goes to show that despite the most inauspicious start, despite crippling difficulties, despite being thrust into an unwanted limelight, if he could live life well and leave a legacy that will continue for many, many years, so can we. 

In Christmas 1939, as Europe entered the dark years of the Second World War, King George quoted a poem by Minnie Louise Haskins which reflects his heart.

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:

"Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown."

And he replied:

"Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.

That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way."

So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.

And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.

The King’s trust was in Almighty God to lead and guide and to overcome, no matter the difficulties and hardship. Over 80 years later, this nation is still reaping the fruit of King George’s heart and is a source of great encouragement to all of us. 

Each one if us is called to be an overcomer, and if we too put our hands in the hand of God, all things are possible. 

for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5 Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. 1 John 5: 4 - 5 

Psalm 18

David was not only a great king and ‘a man after God’s own heart’ but also an incredible poet.

Psalm 18 is one of those psalms where David just lets rip his poetic creativity and powerful imagery flows from his pen. David had been delivered from so many enemies; not only Saul in his bloodthirsty lust to kill him but also the armies of the surrounding nations. David had complete confidence that God could and would deliver him from them all.

This all started with a young man who stood fearlessly, armed only with stones and a sling, facing a giant who had intimidated every seasoned Israelite soldier. David was not an arrogant youth but a confident young man, confident not in his own abilities but in his God who had delivered him as a shepherd boy from the lion and bear.

David took this confidence in the Lord out into the desert where he hid from Saul’s bloodlust. He may have sheltered in desert strongholds, behind rocks and in caves but he knew his real rock and stronghold was the Lord. He and he alone could save him ‘from the cords of death that entangled him’.

David knew that if he cried out to God in his distress, God would answer and he would come down in a full display of awesome might calling upon all creation to deliver his precious son. The writing is exquisite. The mental pictures that are conjured up of creation trembling as the Creator comes forth with fire, smoke, clouds, darkness, rain, lightning and thunder  are incredible.

The Creator God parts the clouds and rides the cherubim, the royal attendants, as he comes to rescue his beloved one who is struggling against enemies too powerful for him who are threatening his very existence.

God reaches down from on high and lifts his precious one out of the deep waters that he is drowning in and from which he cannot escape and places him in a spacious place. He is no longer confined by the cords of death and their entanglement but he is liberated to live in openness and freedom.

The first section of Psalm 18 starts with a declaration of David’s devotion to the Lord and ends with an assurance of God’s delight in him. It is because of this delight that he rescues him from his enemies. This is not an irritated God coming to rescue a wayward child who has got into trouble again but a devoted father coming to rescue his beloved son who is being harassed by powerful enemies. The Lord comes in might, majesty, power and authority to overthrow every enemy using all of his creation to do so.

The imagery in this psalm is powerful and is a great assurance to us that if we cry out to God in our affliction, he can and will deliver us from every negative circumstance that would try and entangle us and he does this out of incredible personal devotion to each one of his beloved children.

21st century Gideon: an allegory Part 4

They then called on all Christians across the land to rise up and defeat the powers of darkness that ruled in their localities. The Christians called out to God for deliverance and proclaimed his goodness and mercy in all their major places of government, power and influence.  There was no hiding place for the powers of darkness.  Everywhere they tried to go, there were bands of Christians proclaiming the wisdom, majesty and glory of God and they were consigned to the Abyss. 

One group from a large and influential Pentecostal church was upset that they had not been asked to help sooner.  They had gone out as asked and defeated the major forces of evil in their area which were also badly afflicting the nation.

 

‘Why didn't you call us out earlier so we could have helped you?’ they asked.

 ‘What have we accomplished compared to you? You have overthrown two great forces of evil in the land.  What are our accomplishments compared to this?’ the pastor replied.

The large Pentecostal church was mollified at this and promised to pray for the pastor and his little band as they pursued the remaining evil forces.

They pursued these powers of darkness like freemasonry and witchcraft to their home towns and cities.  They asked the Christians and church goers in these towns and cities to help them in the overthrow of these forces. 

‘We have been pursuing these demons for ages and are tired, hungry and thirsty.  Will you join with us in the fight and give us something to eat and drink?’

 But the Christians and church goers said, ‘Who are you that we should help you?  Who says the powers of freemasonry or witchcraft live here?  When we can see you have overthrown them as you declare, then we will help you and give you sustenance.’

So the pastor and his band went and surrounded one of the religious centres in the city where the forces of evil had gone home to roost. They proclaimed again the goodness of God, his might and majesty and the powers of darkness sank into the abyss. Some of the symbols of their activities and ownership of the buildings fell to the ground as they were defeated. The Christians took them as spoil to show those who had opposed them.

They went on to another city where again they were given no help.  This time they went to the high places surrounding the city and again proclaimed the might and majesty of God.  The powers of darkness fled terrified into the abyss at the sound of the proclamation as they realised judgement was upon them and all the wicked, evil things that they had caused to have done in the land.

The pastor and his band returned to the city that had refused to help them. The people there looked amazed at the symbols that had fallen from the walls and furniture of the buildings.  The Christians and church goers of the city admitted they had been wrong and asked God and the pastor to forgive them. They turned to the Lord with fresh enthusiasm, many were saved and many more healed of their infirmities.

Then Christians across the land, realising that the powers of evil were overthrown and weak, went out and about declaring the goodness of God to all who would listen.  Many repented of their sins and were baptised. The sick were healed, the blind received sight, the lame walked, the deaf got their hearing back and wham bam, the dead were raised.

The land enjoyed peace again and the Christian heritage that had been lost was restored to them.  Christians were sent to the nations to bring the Gospel, healing and peace.  Many turned to the Lord and great was the revival in the nation.

21st century Gideon: an allegory. Part 3

Now the Houses of Parliament were not far from where the 300 Christians had gathered.  During the evening the Lord told the pastor to go to the Houses of Parliament and he would hear something to encourage him and help him overcome his fear.

Now the people in Parliament had become strong in opposing God and his ways, aided by the forces of evil which had congregated there in great numbers. They continued to pass laws that were opposed to the will of God and which were very bad for the land.  The pastor arrived in the Central Lobby just as a man was telling his friend his dream. The pastor overheard their conversation.

‘I had a dream that a huge fireball hit the middle of the chamber of the lower House of Parliament scattering us all and setting fire to the building.’

His friend who was a wise man responded, ‘That sounds like God is going to bring judgement on this house for all the wicked laws we have passed and all the evil things that have happened here.  We have not listened to Him. The Christians are going to get victory in this place.  The hand of the Lord is with them.’ 

When the pastor heard this, he went away rejoicing and praising God.  He returned to the 300 and said, ‘Get up.  God is giving the powers of darkness that rule over this land into our hands.’

So they got up and went to the Houses of Parliament. The pastor divided his 300 people into four groups, each with a candle in a jam jar, a piece of cloth soaked in paraffin and the word of God in their hands.  He gave each group some proclamations to declare. 

The groups went and surrounded the Houses of Parliament.  One group went up onto Westminster Bridge and surrounded the Clock Tower called Big Ben.  One group went along side the railings by Westminster Hall and another went and surrounded the far end of the building.  Finally one group was given permission to go into Old Palace Yard because they said they were Christians come to pray for the government. The police did not think they would cause much trouble as it was evening time and although there was an important debate going on, they reckoned they were only Christians and what trouble could they cause?

At a prearranged time, the pastor sent a simultaneous message to all 300 mobile phones. There was a ringing and bleeping and musical tones which was very unnerving for the police and any unfortunate person in the vicinity.  This was nothing compared to the noise that erupted at that moment.  Everyone of the 300 shouted at the top of their voices ‘For the Lord Jesus Christ and Britain.’  They put their paraffin soaked cloths into the jam jars and smashed the jam jars on the ground and caused hundreds of small fires.  They then, with one loud voice, proclaimed the goodness of God and his justice and righteousness in the land.   

Everyone in the debating chambers was terrified, believing the House of Parliament to be under attack. They shouted for the security guards to come to protect them.  They rushed into the chamber and assured the house that it was only Christians causing a commotion and those in Old Palace Yard were ejected by the police.

Then the Member of Parliament who had had the dream asked to tell it to the House. He told them about the fireball hitting the chamber and how he felt it was the judgement of God for all the evil laws they had passed.  The members of Parliament were frightened and their eyes opened to the possibility that they had offended God with their wicked ways and passing of godless laws.  They fell on their knees in repentance and asked the chaplain to pray for them all.

Meanwhile the powers of evil that ruled over Parliament were terrified at the Christian commotion. They turned on one another believing an even bigger demonic hoard was attacking them.  They put each other to the sword and those that were left fled to go to their home place or to find somewhere quieter to inhabit and possess.

The Christians meanwhile turned their proclamations into intercession for God to be merciful to their government and to the people of the land.  

Running the race with perseverance

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.

I was playing a bowls match in South Africa to decide the winner of the ladies competition at our small club.  It was not an important fixture except for the two of us involved.  It was a hot day and I just about had the edge and was slightly in the lead but my opponent would not give up. She was hot, desperately wanted a drink but just kept persevering.

When she did not do well, she just said, ‘Well I must try harder and do better’ and she did. She would not give in and in the end her perseverance paid off and she won the match.  I kept thinking why don’t you just let me win but no, she was not going to be defeated.

The analogy is obvious but I know, too often, I just want to give up and give in to temptation, disappointment, hurt and rejection. It is sometimes easier to listen to the lies of the enemy and feel sorry for myself instead of persevering, standing firm and just keep trying. It is hard to do better when you feel like you are failing.  The key of course is to fix our eyes on the prize and better still the prize giving and the person who is handing out the prizes.

The prize giver is not just a celebrity who has little to be proud of other than the fame they have acquired. Our prize giver is the pre-eminent overcomer; the man who never gave in or gave up. The person who persevered and won the ultimate prize and we share in the benefits that he won for us because his race was not for his benefit but ours. Yes Jesus victory on the cross meant his glorification and exaltation to the highest place but we are the chief beneficiaries.

It can be hard when we are being tested and everything in us just wants to give up but the writer of Hebrews says in verse 3 of chapter 12 ‘Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.’ The answer is always Jesus and fixing our eyes on him and considering what he did for us, will give us the boost we need to persevere and do better.

We will see victory if we do not give up but even if we fail, God’s loving arms are there to pick us up, dust us down and help us start all over again. There is a great cloud of witnesses cheering us on who have been there before us and encouraging us to succeed. With their support and Jesus’ we have all the encouragement we need to persevere and win our race. 

Psalm 3

O Lord how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!

Many are saying of me, “God will not deliver him”

 But you are a shield around me, O Lord

You bestow glory on me and lift up my head.

To the Lord I cry aloud and he answers me from his holy hill.

I lie down and sleep. I awake again because you sustain me.

I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.

Arise O Lord! Deliver me, O my God!

Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.

From the Lord comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people. Psalm 3

This psalm was written by David when his son, Absalom, rose up in rebellion to try and take the throne from his father. It was treachery at the highest level; in the family, the court and the nation and David does what David always did – turned to God.

Psalm 3 is such a great encouragement to us when life and the devil comes and attacks us. It gives us a blueprint for how to deal with these assaults. First of all David states the situation; he has many foes rising against him who do not believe God will deliver him.

Then David affirms who God is; his protector, his provider and the lifter of his head – his encourager. He knows God will answer him (that is a wonderful thought to meditate on) and he can even sleep in the midst of all of this because the Lord sustains him and so he will not fear.

Finally David asks God to arise and defeat his enemies. I love the fact that he asks God to strike them on the jaw and break their teeth. If that happens you cannot talk!  It silences the enemy! David concludes that God brings deliverance and asks him to bless the people who will have got all caught up in this.

David did not accept the situation and just lay down and give up but unfortunately that is what many Christians do when they get sick, they face financial, family, work or even church problems. They accept them and give up.  David shows us the better way.

Tell God the problem as you see it. Remind yourself who God is and what he has done and will do. Then ask God to rise up and strike your enemies. We have the victory over all our enemies (who are not flesh and blood) and in Jesus Name we can resist the devil and all his works and he will flee.

God gave David strategy to defeat Absalom’s rebellion and he will do the same for us. Do not let circumstances overwhelm you; turn to God and he will arise on your behalf as you use the authority that Jesus won for us on the cross. God is our deliver and always acts on our behalf as we trust him.