As I write this, there are daily revelations and updates as to how the coronation of King Charles III is to be celebrated – which carriages are to be used, who’s on the invitation list, what the route will be etc. Comparisons are being made with the last coronation and people are reminiscing about what they remember.
When I was a child, my mother would sing us to sleep with a chorus beginning with each letter of the alphabet in alphabetical order. ‘G’ was often ‘God is still on the throne’ which went like this:
‘God is still on the throne
And he will remember His own
Tho’ trials may press us
And burdens distress us
He never will leave us alone
God is still on the throne
He never forsaketh His own
His promise is true
He will not forget you
God is still on the throne.’
Of course, God is a Spirit, not a person so it’s picture language, but the truth of the sentiment is the same today as it was then and always will be – God is in control. He is King of Kings no matter who is on the throne of England, whether other nations come out of union with us, whether or not we are part of Europe or the Commonwealth crumbles. How reassuring is that! His Kingdom is forever and His commandments don’t change. We have the security of knowing we will pass all security checks to enter because Jesus’ blood is our passport.
Even more amazing is that He cares about us as individuals. Whether we are concerned with external events –‘ trials’ – jobs, cost of living, climate change or internal matters – ‘burdens’- family, relationships, mental health – He doesn’t leave us to deal with it by ourselves. We will still have problems but we don’t have to face them alone.
This chorus emphasises the same fact by repeating it in two ways, getting more personal as the poem proceeds: – He will remember his own and He will not forget you. How great is it that the King of Kings remembers and cares for you wherever you are reading this today!!
So over the next few days, when you see pictures of King Charles III on his throne, don’t forget who is on the Eternal throne because He won’t forget you.