The dawn of a new kingdom - 11 November 2024

We live in an era where there is so much war, hatred and violence all around us. So many people ask: Where is God in this? When is he going to show up and do something about the state of this broken world?

From Genesis 1–2, we learn that God has created everything good. There was peace and harmony between God and man, and between man and his fellow man. We read about the rebellion against God in Genesis 3, resulting in the fall of man. Man rejected God’s authority and wanted to be independent of God. We wanted to be in a position to decide for ourselves between good and evil. We wanted our own human reason to be the highest authority in our lives. This rebellion has come to cost us dearly. We have lost paradise. Since the beginning of recorded history, we see the impact of human selfishness and greed. We see a lot of tears, a lot of broken relationships and a world in decay. Where man’s will and reason is the highest power, there is death.

Jesus came to this world to begin the restoration of this world. He brought about a new alternative of living in the kingdom of God. The kingdom of God is where people know and follow Christ as their King. We are searching for his will to be done in our lives, his guidance is the highest authority we recognise. He brings about peace, harmony and life for those who follow his commands. The will of God is relationship-based. Jesus taught us that we are called to love God with all our heart, soul and mind, and our neighbour as ourselves (Matthew 22:34-40).

In heaven, we believe, there is perfect harmony. There is peace between God and the angels, and peace among all God’s created beings already there. There is no place for hatred or violence. Heaven knows no selfishness or pride.

Jesus teaches us to pray that this perfect love and harmony of heaven will break through to our realm of existence. We pray that the people around us will come to know Christ as the King who came to heal the broken hearted. When we pray for the coming of God’s kingdom, it is a prayer of surrender. I pray that Christ will also be seated on the throne of my heart, that he will rule my life according to his perfect will. I give him the authority to transform my life to be more like him.

We ask, with the Lord’s Prayer, that the peace of God will return to this world, that we may see the day when heaven breaks through and love transforms this world. We surrender our lives so that we may be the channels of heavenly love and peace to the world around us.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, please be the King on the throne of my heart. Be the ruler that transforms my life to be more of an example of heavenly love and peace. Help me to live in such a way that the people around me become aware of the change you bring in me. Transform this world around me to resemble heaven more each day. Amen