Edward the Confessor was the last Anglo-Saxon king of England. 

According to some monks who knew him, he was a gentle man. But after he died, there was chaos and violence. The reason for this was because his throne was contested. Since there was no clear successor, bloodshed flooded the land.

Let’s notice that all of this stemmed from the fact that there was uncertainty about who the king was really supposed to be. 

The same is true for our own hearts and minds. We we’re uncertain about who (or what) is in charge, we’re going to experience a certain amount of chaos and confusion. We won’t have peace.

Speaking in the context of spiritual warfare, Jon Thomson said that thousands of Christians “are actually living in a perpetual state of internal civil war…”* 

Psalm 145 begins like this: “I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.” Our King is none other than God himself. 

When we are ruled by popular opinion, by self-centred priorities, by a political party, by sin, by our emotions, or by anything else, we are perpetuating our own internal civil war. We are cultivating an internal state of affairs where the throne of our hearts and minds is contested.

Acknowledging God’s kingship in your life is not only about loyalty, although it is certainly about that too; it is about an uncontested heart and mind. It is also, therefore, about welcoming a state of harmony and peace. God’s kingdom is full of love, truth, holiness, justice and goodness. Who wouldn’t want a King like that ruling one’s heart and mind?

Is the throne of your heart and mind contested? Are you living in a perpetual state of internal civil war?

Perhaps it’s time for loyalty and love, and for godly priorities and peace.

“I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever.”

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Notes:

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.

–* Jon Thompson on the Bridgetown Podcast. Nov 18, 2021. “Deliverance: An Interview with Jon Thompson.”