We’ve been in a series that is exploring the big picture of the Bible.  We are tracing the main story arc of Scripture, and discovering major themes.  This last Sunday we introduced the monarchy, a topic we will explore more over the next two weeks.  We saw how the request for a king is implicitly a rejection of God’s kingship over the people.  They are unsatisfied with the existing arrangement – God as king who raises up human judges to lead them.  Instead, they want a flesh and bone king like their nieghbors.

Of course, God’s roll as king is never in jeopardy – only the people’s acknowledgment of it.  He is king whether or not we recognize him as such.  It is in the Psalms that the idea of God’s kingship is expressed most frequently.  Take this sampling of passages:

Psalm 24:8

Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
the Lord mighty in battle.

Psalm 47:7
For God is the King of all the earth;
sing to him a psalm of praise.

Psalm 95:3

For the Lord is the great God,
the great King above all gods.

Psalm 145:1

I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.

There are many others like these.  And remember that the primary writer of the Psalms is David king of Israel.  Over and over again the great king David recognizes who the real king is.  David understands that this battle over kingship doesn’t just take place on  a national scale.  It is also a personal decision that must be made.  Even as he sits on the throne of Israel he must choose who will sit on the throne of his life.  That decision is still in the balance today, God does not intend to merely be our Savior.  He will be our Lord.  Is God king in your life?  What evidence supports your answer?  Don’t be surprised if you find conflicting evidence.

Pastor Phil