Who is the King of Glory? Lesson 6 ”The Slough of Despond”

Beginning with Eden and all the way through Judah’s exile, God’s story shows us that humanity’s greatest need is for God to “create…a clean heart” within them (Ps 51:10). The prophet Isaiah spoke of how God would accomplish that feat. He would send a humble, innocent servant who would willingly offer his own life and pour out his own blood in order to make many sinners righteous (Is 53:10-12).

That servant had the full human experience, suffering under the weight of the curse, enduring the attacks of enemies, and feeling as if all his work had been in vain, and yet after he had “poured out his soul to death” (53:12), God made him a king above all kings (Is 49:7) and gave him many offspring (53:10-11). That suffering servant is the King-priest from Psalm 110. It is he who sits enthroned in Heaven and waits for God to make all his enemies a footstool. (110:1).

And while he waits, his kingdom of light continues to spread into every dark corner of the earth. While he waits, “the will of the LORD shall prosper” in the “hand[s]” of his “offspring,” who like their King-priest make their lives a living sacrifice and by bearing the fruits of righteousness bring God’s salvation “to the end of the earth” (Is 53:10, Rom 12:1, Is 49:6).

As we go about the normal business of our lives this week, I am praying that God impresses a new awareness on our spirits that he now works through us to accomplish his original creative purposes of bringing blessing to every family of the earth. Praise God for the work of his servant, who has made us righteous and has blessed us with fruitfulness in all the good works God has prepared for us to do. (Eph 2:10)