Melech Kabod / King of Glory
(pronounced: "MEH-lek kaw-BODE")
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
The LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates!
Lift up, you everlasting doors!
And the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD of hosts,
He is the King of glory.
Selah
~ Psalms 24:8-10 (NKJV)
Our nation's founders deliberately established a government which snubbed the rule of monarchy practiced in Europe, because the absolute sovereignty of a single despot had become so repugnant to them.
A king indisputably controls everything—the land, the people, and all the riches. He distributes them or appropriates them for himself as he sees fit. One may petition favor of him, but only with utmost deference. You can attempt to usurp his sovereignty, but only at the risk of death for high treason.
The king is also responsible to defend against attack. He is to be the champion warrior who does not simply command the might of his army but leads it into battle. He is its most valuable member, whose life is defended at the risk of every other life—yet he willingly puts himself in peril to fully engage the enemy, so that he and his people might emerge victorious.
A king's throne his country's highest seat of justice. His court is the place of last judgment, from which there will be no appeal. Whatever a lower authority may stipulate, every injury, every grievance, and every form of oppression is subjected to the king's definition of right and wrong. And regardless of the judgment he renders, it is within his power to show mercy.
To address a monarch as "your majesty" is only the beginning of tribute he is due. No one may flatter him too much. Let that homage be sincere, lest it prove the one who offers it unworthy to stand in the king's presence.
Our divine Sovereign is the King of all kings. No other is called "Majesty on High" (Hebrews 1:3) and "King of Glory," for no other sovereign carries the weight of glory itself. The Hebrew word for glory, kabod, denotes weight, as in the weight of copious glory—glory so great that it prevented the priests from carrying on their duties when it came upon Solomon's temple.
The weight of our King's glory is eminent above all glory as the weight of His suffering is eminent above all suffering. The weight of our own suffering here and now is as nothing in light of the glory we shall share with Him (Romans 8:16-18).
Feedback appreciated! Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Praying for blessings all over your life my friend, love you.
ReplyDeleteI love your idea of a name of God everyday. It's hard to remember Him for everything he is. I guess "I am" covered it with Moses.
ReplyDeleteThis was a powerful, insightful post.
ReplyDeleteDenise, you remain very much in my prayers as well.
ReplyDeleteDiane, welcome. The name of God a day is something I've done for several years as a part of my morning time with the Lord. I felt prompted to share it with everyone else this month. "I AM" is actually a name I don't plan to do by itself. It was included with YHWH on July 1st, and because it's so much a part of Who God is you'll probably glimpse it again this month here or there.
Clifford! Good to see you over here. I'm pleased to think the Lord's Spirit conveyed power and insight through me. He gets all the glory, for sure.