Forever Home in the Eternal Family of God

A Daily Devotional by Kenton Cheek

8 May 2024

Reading From II Samuel 8-9, I Chronicles 18

“David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people.”

–II Samuel 8:15, I Chronicles 18:14

“John, to the seven churches which are in Asia:

Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth.

To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”

–Revelation 1:4-6

     God has called all of His children kings and queens in His authority and power as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  I know that sometimes I don’t feel like a king.  It does me a world of spiritual good to remind myself of who I am in Jesus and I am blessed to remind you as well.  It is vital to our growth to know our true identity as revealed in the Word of God. He has called us to things higher and greater than and within our present reality.

     Yahweh created men and women in His image.  Since there is no part of His nature that is inferior, both genders are valuable and equal as they came from Him.  The Lord inspired Paul to write in Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”  Through Peter in I Peter 2:9 we discover, “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” And the Spirit moved John to record in Revelation 5:10, “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” 

When God created the Heavens and the Earth, He gave dominion over the planet to Adam and Eve.  They tended the Garden of Eden and named the animals.  As we have seen from human history, this dominion and all that comes with it, can be used for good or evil.  Since dominion was given to mankind, it is not a question of whether you will rule in this life, but what kind of ruler are you?  What kind of decisions do you make?  Whose wisdom do you consult?  How do you go about stewarding the resources God has blessed you with?  You exercise authority in this present reality, what about the reality to come?  Will your reign end with your physical death or will it extend beyond? 

     I believe that for born again believers, the sons of Adam and daughters of Eve become adopted Sons and Daughters of God, born of His Spirit.  We are therefore called to be kings and queens, priests and priestesses in the Kingdom of God.  As we have been given eternal life, we will be perfectly united with God and reign with Him in the New Heaven and the New Earth.  For us, our development as a royal priesthood will not stop with physical death, but will continue into eternity where we will once again perfectly reflect His image.

As sons and daughters of the Most High God, we are called to live and function according to His precepts.  This is in preparation for that glorious day when we will reign with Him. We must follow King David’s example here and now and do “what is just and right.” Take it a step further and we are to follow also the Son of David, King Jesus and serve with humility, grace and mercy.

     You are very special to God; His treasured possession if you have chosen to follow His path.  He has rescued you from the dominion of darkness and brought you into the kingdom of the Son He loves.  He has taken you from the miry clay and set your feet upon the Rock of Christ and His Word.  As we look around us, there are times we don’t feel very regal.  We must know that even if we find ourselves in poverty according to the world’s standards, we are spiritually wealthy and royal in Christ.  As for material possessions and money, we are called by God to be good stewards of everything He has provided.  All that He has blessed us with is meant to be shared to bless others.  Stewardship is one of the virtues we must cultivate as kings and queens in the Kingdom of God.

     As kings and queens we are to function in the authority of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  Jesus shared His authority with His disciples during His earthly ministry.  In Matthew 10:1, “Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.” And in chapter 28 of the same gospel,

The eleven disciples went into Galilee to the hillside to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him, though some had doubts. Then Jesus approached them and told them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, as you go, disciple people in all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. And remember, I am with you each and every day until the end of the age.

As we function as kings and priests, queens and priestesses, we are to operate in the power of the Holy Spirit as Jesus did.  We must pray that He increases our faith and that we pray according to His will, that it be done on Earth as it is in Heaven.

“Lord, there are so many rich and wonderful truths about You and about Your children that have yet to be fully explored.  Reveal to us more about Your nature and character through Your Word, lit up by Your Spirit.  I pray for Your children.  Help us to know who we really are in You.  Thank You for blessing us with dignity that the world cannot take away from us.  Empower us to live and move and have our being in You; to function in Your authority and grace.  Amen.”

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

–Acts 1:8

In the last days, God says,
    I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
    your young men will see visions,
    your old men will dream dreams.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
    I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
    and they will prophesy.

–Acts 2:17-18

And you will be called priests of the Lord,
    you will be named ministers of our God.
You will feed on the wealth of nations,
    and in their riches you will boast.

–Isaiah 61:6

Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

–Revelation 20:6