Ruler of Kings

June/Training for Mission

10 June 2010

The frail, oppressive, and fleeting glory of the kings of the present world is laid low by God's will.

- Columcille, Altus Prosator

"Listen to me, you who know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings."

- Isaiah 51.7

Let's remember that Columcille, who wrote the poem, Altus Prosator, for the monks under his care on the island of Iona, was in the business of mission, and of training men to take the Gospel to faraway places. In those days petty rulers owned all the land, and if you wanted to set up a preaching station, you had to have the approval of the local authority. Many a Celtic missionary was subjected to red martyrdom by kings who didn't like what they heard.

At this point in his poem, Columcille has effectively nullified the devil's terror over his trainees. Now he wants to assure them that they have nothing to fear from the kings of the earth. The God they serve, and Whose Kingdom they are going forth to announce, rules the kings of the earth and brings them low when they try to oppose His will. Yes, some may know hardship in the process of advancing the Kingdom; however, ultimately the God Who made all things and bound the devil will flex His power over the oppressors of men as well.

When you think of initiating a conversation with someone in your Personal Mission Field, a conversation that you intend to direct toward the Gospel - how does that make you feel? Hesitant? Filled with trepidation? Fearful? The God Who rules the kings of the earth rules the hearts and minds of the people to whom He has sent us. He is readying many of them for the Good News of His Kingdom and His Son. And He has commissioned us to the task.

"Fear not the reproach of man, nor be dismayed at their revilings." What can they do to us that is so fearful it would prevent us from telling them the Good News of Jesus?

Today in ReVision: Good as New - No, Better!

This Week's Download: Faithfulness in Ministry

T. M. Moore, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.