‘As the deer pants for streams of water so my soul pants for you, O God’. (Psalm 42:1)This weekend marks the remarkable and unprecedented Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Her coronation vows included a commitment, within her power, ‘to cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed in all her judgements’
, and ‘to the utmost of her power maintain the true profession of the Gospel’
. She concluded by saying, ‘The things which I have here before promised, I will perform and keep. So help me God.’
Over these past 70 years, Queen Elizabeth’s Christian faith has been paramount in her fulfilling her vows and in her commitment to faithfully serve the people over whom she reigns. In a world full of turmoil, she has brought stability and a Christian example to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
In the Prime Minister’s tribute to the Queen, he said, ‘No monarch better deserves the attribute of greatness. For me, she is already Elizabeth The Great’.
He spoke for the whole House and the country when he said, ‘as the scholars of Westminster cried out from the Abbey’s triforium on Coronation Day 70 years ago: “Vivat Regina Elizabetha God save Queen Elizabeth.’
And God has saved the Queen through his Son and the King she serves, The Lord Jesus Christ. Whether Queen or commoner, rich or poor, black or white, all have been included in Jesus’s saving work; salvation is freely available to all people.
Over this Jubilee weekend, as many will repeat the proclamation, ‘God save the Queen’, may we also pray, ‘God save the nations’ – now that would be a Jubilee celebration to remember.
Have a good week praying for the nations,
Pastor Barry
