The King's Visit

King Charles III is visiting the United States this week. The monarch of the United Kingdom and his wife, Queen Camilla, appeared with U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump in Washington, DC on Monday, and the king addressed a joint session of Congress on Tuesday. It was the first such address in 35 years. The royal couple is also visiting the September 11 Memorial in New York City and is expected to depart for Bermuda on Thursday.

Analysis and eternal perspective: It has been 250 years since America declared its independence from Britain, and while the relationship between the two countries has ebbed and flowed in the time since, King Charles’ visit is intended to bolster the ties and celebrate the significant milestone. 

The concept of government royalty is somewhat foreign to the American public, especially the British form of royalty which is light on governing authority and heavy on symbolism.

You, however, as a follower of Jesus, are a royal! 1 Peter 2:9 declares followers of Jesus, “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession.”

But what are you to do with this royal title? The rest of the verse answers that question quite specifically: “. . . that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

You have heard this before, but one of the most magnificent threads of scripture is how consistently it tasks YOU with declaring the glory and praise of God! There are many ways that God demonstrates His glory, but you, my friend, are His preferred vessel. He has repeatedly called on His royal priesthood—you—to bring Him fame!