“In the light of the king’s face is life, And his favor is like a cloud bringing the spring rain.”

Proverbs 16:15 AMP

Our verse today reminds us of the fact that as the mood of the king is, so is the palace!                                                                   The privilege of serving in the King’s court on his personal emergency medical team. I learned a lot about serving a physical king that helps me understand serving the King of Kings! I can tell you from experience, this verse is true. Everyone knew the mood of the king daily! It didn’t take long for word to spread about what kind of day he was having. I can honestly say that over the course of the 4 years I was in the royal court, I only saw the king angry once or twice! My experience was with a man who was humble and gentle yet full of grace and strength. Our verse today tells us that if he is in a good mood, good things happen! I remember a trip I was on accompanying the king at a summit of world leaders. You must understand that when you travel with the king you are well taken care of. Each member of team will receive an amount of money to spend while traveling. Our trip lasted about 5 days and suddenly the king ordered to cut the trip short and return home. We all thought something had happened so the trip home was a bit tense. On approach to Riyadh there was a knock at the clinic door. It was the king’s secretary. Upon entering he produced a check for each of us on the aircraft and told us that the king was happy with the trip and wanted to reward those who were with him! This is a perfect example of our verse today! So what can we say about our heavenly King?

The Scripture tells us that the wrath of God is hanging over man.

“For [God does not overlook sin and] the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who in their wickedness suppress and stifle the truth,”

Romans 1:18 AMP

From the moment man disobeyed God, God’s judgement has been hanging over him. It is this view of God that most people have. He is the angry man waiting to strike down the sinner. While the judgement of God is a real factor, He has also made away to escape the fate awaits all of us.

“While we were still helpless [powerless to provide for our salvation], at the right time Christ died [as a substitute] for the ungodly.”

Romans 5:10 AMP

The King now rejoices over the sinner who accepts His forgiveness! The wrath of God was not eliminated, Jesus took it for us! This event was foreshadowed when the people of God were instructed to slay a lamb and put its blood on the doorposts of their house. This in turn would signify to the angle of death to “Passover” the home and all within would be spared from judgement! What a beautiful picture of God’s grace and mercy.  Just as the king was filled with joy and happiness on the day we returned from our mission, God is now filled with joy and happiness toward us! His anger and wrath have been satisfied and He now pours out His love and gifts upon His children!

“This righteousness of God comes through faith in Jesus Christ for all those [Jew or Gentile] who believe [and trust in Him and acknowledge Him as God’s Son]. There is no distinction, 23since all have sinned and continually fall short of the glory of God, 24and are being justified [declared free of the guilt of sin, made acceptable to God, and granted eternal life] as a gift by His [precious, undeserved]  grace, through the redemption [the payment for our sin] which is [provided] in Christ Jesus,25whom God displayed publicly [before the eyes of the world] as a [life-giving] sacrifice of atonement andreconciliation (propitiation) by His blood [to be received] through faith. This was to demonstrate His righteousness [which demands punishment for sin], because in His forbearance [His deliberate restraint] He passed over the sins previously committed [before Jesus’ crucifixion]. 26It was to demonstrate His righteousness at the present time, so that He would be just and the One who justifies those who have faith in Jesus [and rely confidently on Him as Savior].

Romans 3:22-26 AMP

This my friends is the good news of God’s love. Most people have never experienced the love of God that can be shed abroad in their hearts. They only know about the wrath of God which is hanging over their lives. This is why we are commanded to “go into all the world and share the good news!” Take time today to share with someone who has yet to know the love of God! It could be the only time that they will hear the truth of His love for them! Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken