July 14

Entering The King's Service

Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and incline thine ear. Forget also thine own people, and thy father's house; So shall the king greatly desire thy beauty: For He is thy Lord; and worship thou Him. — Ps 45:10-11

It is difficult to decide the occasion of this Psalm, which was written to celebrate a royal marriage. But there is much which goes far beyond the immediate circumstances out of which it sprang. We recognize its prophetic character, as well as its historic basis, and that it points onward to Christ the King. It is so quoted in Heb 1:8-9, and we may therefore certainly appropriate the Psalm as directly addressed to our Lord, who is our rightful King.

Christ’s claim rests on these grounds: The Righteousness of His Rule. His sceptre is not a rod of iron, but of “uprightness.” Our King loves righteousness and hates wickedness. Therefore His throne stands firm, and He claims the allegiance of all pure and upright souls. Would that all rulers and leaders realized that right makes might!

The Gladness of His Reign. The righteous heart is the joyful one; and our King teaches us that so far from holiness meaning gloom and depression, it is the root and fountain of true and abiding joy. Jesus was “the Man of Sorrows, and acquainted with grief,” but underneath was an abiding and eternal joy, like the spring flowers that nestle under the warm coverlet of snow. There is a blessed attractiveness in Christian joy and gladness, which is characteristic of our King, and should mark all His subjects.

The Love of His Heart. The bride is willing to forsake her own people and her father’s house, and if we take the Lord Jesus to be our King and Husband, we shall be willing to count all things but loss for love of Him. Therefore He said, “Whosoever he be that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.”

“‘He is thy Lord.” We are reminded that however tender may be the sense of Christ’s love to us, we must reverence Him as our King. Reverence is the best foundation for true affection. We shall never fully know His salvation until we recognize and own Him as King. “Thy King cometh unto thee, having salvation.” “He is exalted as Prince and Saviour.” Lift up your heads, O gates of Mansoul, and the King of Glory shall come in! (Rev 3:20).

Prayer

In all things attune our hearts to the holiness and harmony of Thy Kingdom. Hasten the time when Thy Kingdom shall come, and Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.