DEVOTION: “Can’t Wait to See the King”

TEXT: "We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our shield." Psalm 33:20

THEME: Waiting for the King

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT: In the Lion King, the young Simba sings a catchy tune called, "I Can't Wait to be King." In the song, Simba puts his hopes on what he imagines it will be like to be in charge, to be the king. He has images of being strong and mighty and fearless.

Throughout the Old Testament, the children of Israel waited for a king. They hoped that this king would be their savior from earthly oppression and would be a strong leader and mighty in battle. They put their hope on images of what this king would do for them.

Today, we too wait in hope for our king, Jesus; and we also have images of His return. But unlike Simba and the children of Israel, we do not simply imagine. Instead, we wait for Jesus to return as our heavenly King, already triumphant over death and the devil. Our hope is founded not on dreams or images of possibilities, but rather on truth and accomplishments. As the hymnal song writer reminds us, our "hope is built on nothing less than Jesus Christ and righteousness" - a fact that even the devil acknowledges. As the Psalmist says, "We wait in hope for the Lord." But our hope was earned for us on the cross over 2000 years ago. Now we can rewrite Simba's song of hope and sing with pride, "We can't wait to see the King!"

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION AND APPLICATION:

In the Old Testament, the king was often called the "shield" or "protector."

· How is God our shield? What does He protect us from?

· How should our hope in Jesus' return make us feel everyday?

· If belief in the fact of Jesus' suffering, death and resurrection saves us, where do emotions fit in?

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SHORT PRAYER: Dear Jesus, we praise you for the hope we have, a hope that is based not on imagination, but upon your truth and accomplishments. We give thanks for that salvation that you so freely gave to us on the cross. Please continue to be our shield and protector and help us to overcome temptations which can pull us away from the truth of salvation. Thank you Jesus, Amen.

Devotion by: Glen E. Dawursk, Jr. – www.Yuthguy.com