Thy Kingdom Come
David Francis
Elections consume a lot of nations time and money, yielding human hope and aspiration for ‘Change’.
“Things can only get better” promised one successful party back in 1997, utilising the band D:Ream’s song as a party slogan.
However, ever since I began to think about ‘stuff’ that happens in the world and how it affects me, this slogan (and hopeful epitaph to many an ambitious and aspirational political party) never seemed to lead to much ‘betterment’. Trouble and strife, pollution, wars, and rumours of wars, earthquakes, famines, disease, and tragic deaths continued.
Private James Frazer, the fictional Home Guard member and undertaker in the sitcom ‘Dad’s Army’ sums this up, pessimistically reminding everyone, “We’re doomed!”
Being made in the ruling image of God, humankind doesn’t have a great track record. Yes we manage to eat, drink and often be merry - but then we die!
Terrible hardships occur along the way with fellow humans bearing awful scars of conflict, mentally and physically. Senseless, innocent deaths of both young and old rise to tarnish the ever wishful thinking of us all who place their hope in men and women to really make a difference that positively affects everyone.
However, Christians proclaim a God backed message that will wipe all these tears away! There is a new world coming - and we see glimpses of it breaking through even today.
A new government that is headed up by the truest servant of all. One that permeates our hearts and minds, giving energy, vision and vitality to weary bones, muscles and mind.
Christians hunger for this rule and reign, and are encouraged to pray daily: ‘Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.’ (Mark 6:10)
The deep groaning described in Romans 8:18-24 constantly resides within us as we experience the ‘sufferings of this present time’. (v18)
We read in verse 19, ‘for the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.’ - that’s us folks, and all who have gone before us too!
For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
Romans 8: 20-21
It’s like the anticipation of childbirth - it continues in verse 22:
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved.
Romans 8: 22-24
Almost 44 years ago, God called me with this ‘Good news’ and consistently confirmed that only His way works, and only under the Kingship of Jesus will humankind (as well as the planet) get any better.
Should we ‘Dream on?’
Let’s vote yes! Keep praying, it’s the only cross that matters!
