Of Love's Royal Priesthood

Why this post?

Because preaching doesn't just happen behind a pulpit

and because the Platinum Jubilee and all its celebrations

got me to pondering royalty and priesthoods...

(watching/listening to the trumpets play in honor of Her majesty, the Queen

for her years of faithful service

literally covers me with goosebumps

and evokes thrills because this celebration is a

miniscule/pale glimpse of

what honoring the King of kings and Lord of lords will be)

I didn't realize until partway through this message/session that it

was an exhortation of encouragement to church leaders.

However, I continued listening to the end because its exhortations were encouraging

to the 'sheep' as well as the shepherd...

Hanging On When You Feel Like Giving Up

But you are a chosen generation, 

a royal priesthood, a holy nation, 

His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him

 who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

1 Pet.2:9

Serve well the God who is I AM

With heart and hand applaud

Not to seek accolades of man

But to glorify God

Serve well the God of humankind

We, in his image made

Are glimpses of He who designed

Us, and our pardon paid

Serve well the God who gave his Son

Whose sacrifice sufficed

To save and teach us to become

Imitators of Christ

Serve well the God who will supply

Our need; He knows it well

And made a Way that none need die

And be cast into hell

Serve well the God that numbers days

And lends the lease thereof

The God whose mysterious ways

Are always filled with love

Serve well the God who giveth life

Who keeps in perfect peace

The mind that guards against the strife

That hinders love’s increase

Serve well the God whose mercy tries

Whose grace and truth abides

As faith presses toward the prize

That God alone provides

Serve well the God, the King of kings

He who is just and good

Calls us to share the sufferings

Of love’s Royal Priesthood

Serve well thy God and fellowman

With renewed courage run

For what thought can be sweeter than 

To hear Him say 'well done'

© Janet Martin