We’ve lived through history in the last two weeks, with the passing of Queen Elizabeth II. I cannot remember in my lifetime seeing such an outpouring of grief at the passing of a public figure. For many of us the Queen was the only monarch we had known throughout our lives. Her reign of seventy years is almost unprecedented in world history.
Seldom has a public figure commanded such admiration, respect and deep devotion as Her Majesty. As well as being Queen of Great Britain, she was also the Queen of other nations, including my country of Australia. As such, through the British Commonwealth she was someone who united the world in friendship and cooperation.
We have been aware over the decades of the knowledge that the Queen had for national and international affairs and how concerned she was for the welfare of all. As well as royal visits to Australia, there were many occasions such as recent bushfires and floods when messages of concern and support were forthcoming from the Queen and other members of the Royal Family.
Queen Elizabeth II not only publicly proclaimed her Christian faith, she lived it wholeheartedly. From her earliest promises to serve the people, through her Christmas messages and finally to the gospel messages that she planned to be read at her funeral, she gave witness to her trust and belief in God and salvation through Jesus Christ. Hers was a life of love and service, one worthy to be emulated.
Thank You, Your Majesty, for your example.
It now lies with Christians everywhere to pray for King Charles III and the Royal Family, that they would know God’s guidance and wisdom to lead well. May each one have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. May they live in peace and safety.
I pray that these words from Psalm 21 might be applicable to King Charles III:
“The king rejoices in your strength, Lord.
How
great is his joy in the victories you give!
2 You have
granted him his heart’s desire
and
have not withheld the request of his lips.[b]
3 You came to greet him
with rich blessings
and
placed a crown of pure gold on his head.
4 He asked you for life,
and you gave it to him—
length
of days, for ever and ever.
5 Through the victories
you gave, his glory is great;
you
have bestowed on him splendour and majesty.
6 Surely you have
granted him unending blessings
and
made him glad with the joy of your presence.
7 For the king trusts in
the Lord;
through
the unfailing love of the Most High
he
will not be shaken.
(Ps 21:1-7)
As Queen Elizabeth II was an advocate for tree planting, I have planted two shrubs in my native garden in her memory : Leptospermum "Burgundy Queen" and Grevillea "Molly"
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