Watching recently the final space shuttle launch in Florida USA, reminded me of our family trip to the Kennedy Space Centre in 2008. On this tour, we had the privilege of being one of many families to dine with an astronaut. As we ate our scrumptious meal, the astronaut spoke to us about his life as an astronaut, he eloquently described how excited he was when first he joined the NASA space programme. When he made his application, he was one of approx 15,000 applicants and only a few were chosen. But fortunately for him, there was something in his credentials that made him stand out from the rest to the directors of NASA. The astronaut mentioned that his selection was an incredibly humbling experience being chosen out of so many. His calling to be an astronaut was a privilege, but it was a dangerous calling. The latest statics for astronauts in America is that approximately 1 in every 15 die on their mission. That’s a pretty bleak statistic! However, NASA is never short of volunteers; the journey is wrought with danger but it would be worth it all to achieve that final destination – SPACE. Imagine being called to represent your country in such a venture, to be called out of so many! Some of us have struggled to be chosen or called to be part of a school sports team or a choir let alone an astronaut programme! But I’ve got an encouraging scripture for you to read today if you are a part of the heavenly kingdom’s team. In 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 it says, “For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man may boast before God.” God has specifically chosen YOU to disappoint, disgrace, humiliate and put to shame the powers of darkness working within this world; He has called YOU to do this amazing job on His behalf and He has equipped us with the power of His Holy Spirit. By all accounts, it appears to be a much greater calling than that of even an astronaut!!    

The Rightful King

Recently, in Cityview Church we spoke about Jehoiada the high priest who managed at the ripe old age of 95 to restore the rightful king Joash to the throne of Judah. (2Chron 23) Joash’s father who was king of Judah, had been murdered along with his brothers and their sons. Making the most of this opportunity, Athaliah the wicked grandmother of Joash, killed all remaining offspring of her own son so that she could ascend to the throne of Judah without threat from anyone.  She didn’t know however, that one grandchild (Joash) escaped slaughter because he was taken from the palace and hidden away by the high priest Jehoiada. Jehoiada kept little Joash hidden for 6 years in the temple of Jerusalem, until the time came for Jehoiada the high priest to restore the rightful king to power. He meticulously planned the whole event, he risked everything but God honored him. Jehoiada managed to rouse part of the army of Judah and important leaders from families within Judah to support him in his mission to get rid of Athaliah; to dethrone her. And they did…  Jehoiada executed a plan that restored the right king to the throne and he dealt swiftly with the enemy, for Athaliah was put to death the same way she put her own grandchildren to death - by the sword. And then all the people of the land rejoiced and there was peace.  

Can you see this whole story is a mirror image of what took place in the New Testament? Jehoiada represents God, Joash the Son of God and Athaliah typifies the devil. God kept His Son hidden throughout the Old Testament, but when the time was right He revealed the true King. The devil is the one who screamed, “treason!” when Jesus took the keys of death and hell from him (Rev 1:18); when Jesus Christ died on the cross Satan lost his kingship over death. Man gave Satan kingship of death in the Garden of Eden, but Jesus Christ with his blood took back control and now He is the King of kings! Is He King of your heart?