Luke 12:32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.”

Matthew’s record of this teaching on not being anxious, in Matthew 6, is more famous, but it doesn’t have this line. We get tied in knots over all sorts of things, but this particular issue is specific to those who genuinely want to see God’s kingdom manifested on this earth. That requires a certain level of faith and commitment before we would even care about it, so that’s why Jesus addressed this to His flock. Those who care about it already belong to Him! It’s very true that circumstances can look very different from how we imagine God’s kingdom to be, but things can turn around with remarkable speed. The current US government is a case in point. Changes are happening so fast that it’s difficult to keep up, and the direction of change is better than most conscientious analysts believed possible. Few if any pundits believed America could ever get out of debt, but even that looks to be within the realm of possibility at this point. The operations of a particular nation are a far cry from the kingdom of God, but current events are showing that things can turn around far faster than we imagine. Even in the various places where severe persecution is currently the norm, God is still God, and we need to fix our eyes expectantly on Him, trusting that in His time the rule and reign of Jesus Christ the Lord will be manifested, even as He told us to pray.

I frankly am not used to thinking in terms of kingdoms, but it is certainly Biblical terminology. I need to remember that in Biblical times, the king had absolute authority. That means that to operate in God’s kingdom, I’ve got to be committed to total obedience. I’m on my way, but I’m not completely there yet! I’ve got to remember that James’ famous promise that the devil would flee is predicated on submitting to God. (James 4:7) If I want to operate in God’s kingdom, I’ve got to live with Christ as my King. It has rightly been said that evangelism is persuading people to change citizenship, from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. Put that way it sounds like an easy choice, but the devil’s deceptions can be remarkably persuasive. I’m never to give up, but keep speaking the truth in love to all, so that God’s truth may indeed set people free (John 8:32) to change their citizenship to God’s kingdom, for their eternal salvation.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for the operation of Your kingdom that we’ve seen over the past two days, with all the people gathered here to help us physically in various ways. I pray that the sanctuary flooring would be completed today without incident. Thank You for the people who worked on the yard. It was really somewhat overwhelming! I pray that each person who participated, and will participate today, would receive the blessings You intend for them, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!