Preface
This article aligns with my article submission for the Young Writers Program, managed by Press Services International. This program helps to provide a ready-source of content for the magazine publication Christian Today Australia.
The PSI/Christian Today article – my 35th – was first published Friday 6 May 2022 and is available here.
View the full list of my articles here.
Parts of this article were influenced by my own father’s writing on the topic of majesty some 25 years ago – the recent discovery of the script inspired this article.
Majesty: a term normally reserved for addressing the sovereign ruler of a nation, historically titled the King or Queen. Representing royal power.
Happy Birthday, Queen Elizabeth II
At the time of writing this, it was the Queen’s actual birthday – 21 April. Fun fact/side note – Queen Elizabeth II has two birthdays! There is her actual birthday in April, and then there is her “official” birthday coming up on 11 June 2022. Almost 100 years ago, our Queen was born on April 21, 1926 – thus this April date is the real birthday. Celebrations at this time of year are a private family affair for her. In June, the official celebration is more public – and the Trooping the Colour military parade is held. The short answer to why there are two separate dates is tradition at work – previous monarchs have also had two birthdays, beginning with George II in 1748. He moved the public birthday celebrations to coincide with the annual Trooping of the Colour, which is always held during the warmer Summer time of May-June.
Majesty in the Godly sense
But this is all a sidestep to our main topic – majesty. The association of the term has always been shared. Whilst we will typically think of Kings and Queens and rulers here on earth, we of course have the greater meaning of majesty as a term of reverence to God.
Rulers of nations do not have exclusive claim to loyalty, affection, respect and obedience. In fact, you can argue, in this early 21st century that modern society, particular taking the monarchy in Britain and the Commonwealth, has gradually been challenging that historical claim of loyalty, affection and more so, respect and obedience. Monarchs have ruled nations over the period of their lifetime or for specific durations, unless forcibly removed by usurpers or revolution. In world history, we have seen many rulers come and go. Of course, our Queen Elizabeth II is about to celebrate her Platinum Jubilee / 70 years, which has seen her reign witness the many comings and goings of Prime Ministers ruling in her name! However, in short, national/royal heads of state do not hold office on a permanent basis.
God, however, is ruler of the universe because He created it, established our world, and put in place the world order as we know it today. God is our permanent ruler – and this truth prevails whether or not we acknowledge or agree with it. Even if we are non-believers who ignore, disbelieve, disrespect or even rebel against God, it doesn’t change the fact that He remains ruler and sovereign over all creation.
Splendour of God
As Isaiah chapter 2 verse 2 says “In the last days, the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it.” The temple referred to here was built on the mountain of the Lord, Mt Moriah, which was high visible to the citizens of Jerusalem. Isaiah prophesised that in the end times when God would judge the world, His temple would attract the world, not because of its fine architecture or prominence, but because of Him – God’s presence and influence. Part of the prophet Isaiah’s goal was to warn the nations and help them to understand the majesty, splendour and power of God. Later in the book of Isaiah, the fear of God’s anger would reinforce the power, splendour and authority of God – His majestic presence.
Think of the lyrics of How Great is Out God:
The splendour of the King, robed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice! Let all the earth rejoice!
Indeed, the splendour of Jesus our King is covered; no it is absolutely infused through and through as the ultimate divine definition of majesty.
Voice of God
There is majesty in the voice of God. God reveals His power tin nature and we can trust God to give us both the peace and strength to withstand the challenges of life – the storms. Throughout history, God has revealed His power through miracles over nature. That the voice of God could break cedar trees (Psalm 29:5) is super impressive.
The majestic voice of God is also mighty yet still and calm. Consider the whisper of God’s voice coming to Moses at the site of the burning bush. Or even, to Elijah:
And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. “And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave.
1 Kings 19:11-13
The voice of God carries His majesty no matter big, or small.
Majesty of Christ
One of the titles of Jesus is King of Kings, and this reinforces the fact that “majesty” is doubly applicable to Him. He commands perpetual respect, love and obedience from us all. And if we choose Him, He is always there when we need Him.
Jesus, as part of his ministry on earth, was never shy in explaining His divine nature. His claims to be one with God the Father, and that both Son and Father were the one being (John 10:30: “I and my Father are one”) were clearly understood and offensive to the Jewish audience at the time. And this too reinforces the fact – the majesty of Jesus is that He is God’s only begotten Son. Further, the majesty and glory of Christ is found in the fact that He is our Lord. Jesus’ utmost obedience to the Father further amplifies both His majesty and God’s majesty.
An old worship song from the 1970s has lyrics which capture Jesus as majesty perfectly:
Majesty, Worship His Majesty,
Majesty, Jack Williams Hayford
Unto Jesus be all glory, power and praise
Majesty, Kingdom, Authority,
Flows from His Throne, Unto His Own, His anthem raise
Majesty flows from the throne room of Heaven, but it also is highly directional, from God to us – His children. The majesty of Christ is for His glory but it also serves a purpose in bringing us before Him, in worship.
Responding to God’s Majesty
Reflecting on the majestic nature of God/Jesus demands a response from us – we cannot just read and forget. As we ponder the eternal majesty of God as the glorious and victorious Lord of all, let us come before Him in worship, repentance and gratitude.
I have referenced a few songs throughout this article. A final song also titled Majesty, written in the 1990s also expresses the nature of majesty really well:
Majesty, Majesty
Your grace, Your grace has found me just as I am
Empty handed but alive in Your handsMajesty, Majesty
Majesty, Michael W Smith
Forever I am changed by Your love
In the presence of Your Majesty
Part of our response should be worship. And even as we sing or listen to any of the songs mentioned, really press into Him – because God’s majesty transforms our lives.
For whenever we call him Saviour and Lord, we proclaim our relationship as a child of God. May every day be a day we can proclaim His majesty and glory over our lives.