Serving the King
by Ruth Croft 2 June 2022
Welcome to “Sharing our faith”.
We begin with a hymn of praise. This arrangement was written by Ralph Vaughan William especially for the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth ll which took place 69 years ago today, 2nd June 1953.
"All People That On Earth Do Dwell"
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Matthew 23:11 The greatest among you will be your servant.
From the earliest days of her public life as Princess Elizabeth, the Queen's faith in God and her acknowledgement of a life of service has never been in doubt, concluding a well known speech on her 21st birthday with the following words,
“I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.
But I shall not have strength to carry out this resolution alone unless you join in it with me, as I now invite you to do: I know that your support will be unfailingly given. God help me to make good my vow, and God bless all of you who are willing to share in it.”
This act of dedication recognises that she would need the help of the King of Kings to enable her to fulfil her vow of lifelong service.
Again as part of the Coronation service she promised “to maintain the Laws of God and the true profession of the Gospel”.
Throughout the last 70 years Queen Elizabeth has kept her promise to profess that Gospel, particularly in her annual Christmas messages. Regular themes include love for others, forgiveness, tolerance and reconciliation, compassion and service, often with illustrations from the scriptures. Over the years there have also been several references to her personal faith. Her broadcast in 2000 was devoted to an account of Christ’s life and teaching which, she said, “provide a framework in which I try to lead my life”.
And again in 2016
“Billions of people follow Christ’s teaching and find in him the guiding light for their lives. I am one of them because Christ’s example helps me see the value of doing small things with great love, whoever does them and whatever they themselves believe.”
As we begin four days of public celebration to mark her Platinum Jubilee, few could argue that Queen Elizabeth has not devoted her life to the service of her people and her God.
As we give thanks to God for her devotion to the task and for the faith which continues to sustain her, you might like to use these familiar words as your prayer.
God save our gracious queen
Long live our noble queen
God save the queen.
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us:
God save the Queen!
Amen