"Your Majesty"

As I've been involved in a Bible study that's focused currently on God's holiness, I find there are examples of the concepts I'm learning everywhere. Does that happen to you, too? I see God's holiness all day long! But we've also had discussions about how to reconcile God's "otherness" - the separation of His holy character from ours - with the intimate knowledge and love He has for His children.

Is He to be feared or loved?

Can one do both?

How are we to approach this mighty and loving God and Father?

Recently my husband and I went to see The King's Speech with Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush. And in it there is one particular scene that has clarified this dichotomy for me in a powerful way. (If you haven't seen the movie, I promise I'm not giving anything away from the plot here.)

Moments after King George VI (formerly referred to as Bertie) has gone through the ceremonial Accession Council, wearing his full royal regalia, he greets his wife and daughters, who are playing in a hallway. There is a pregnant pause with significant looks communicating deep emotion between spouses who are now king and queen of the nation.

Then King George looks down at his daughters, who stop playing to look at him. The older sister, Elizabeth, leans toward her younger sister and whispers, "Curtsy". Both girls formally take hold of their identical dresses, nod their heads as they curtsy, and pronounce quietly and solemnly, "Your majesty".

With only slight hesitation, the king takes both girls in his arms and kisses them affectionately on the forehead, thereby firmly establishing his role as father as well as king.

This is our God!

He is high and lifted up. Sovereign on His throne in heaven as the angels sing, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord, God Almighty. The earth is full of His glory!"

AND....

He searches and knows the depths of our hearts and minds for He created us in our mother's womb.

Our response to seeing Him in His holiness is to fall on our faces before such power and majesty.

His response is to accept our worship - for He alone is worthy - and to lift us up and love us as a Father loves His children.

He is my King.

He is my Father.

Thanks be to God!