Devotional – Life in the Palace

^{A Queen depends totally on her King for everything…}

Freedom is a priceless treasure that deserves to be protected at all cost. Throughout history, the liberty of many nations have been threatened by others who deem themselves stronger and more powerful. History records the stories of many nations being colonized and forced into a state of dependency. For the great value that their freedom has, such nations are prepared to fight with all that they have to be independent; oftentimes, the cost for such liberty is blood, sweat and tears. When this freedom is achieved, there is much to celebrate; many nations call the day they are liberated: Independence Day, and it is celebrated each year on the same date.

The desire to be free is a natural human response; we want to have the choice to do what we want to do, when we want to do it. As individuals, we have our own minds, and are able to think, and act independent of others; this desire is so strong that it cannot be contained. Mortals will stop at nothing to have the freedom they desire, and cannot live without.

How easy it is for you to depend on another person? What about having to wait on someone else for something that is very important to you? As humans, we sometimes find it difficult to depend on others; we prefer independence over dependence on any day of the week. While being independent can be a beneficial attribute; so too can being dependent, especially for a Queen.

As women, we do not see dependence on others as a positive attribute; in fact, it is scorned, and seen as a character flaw. I can understand why; many women have become victims, and are even mistreated when they are dependent on persons who are not kind-hearted. Yet, in God’s eyes, dependence on Him is attractive and encouraged. How can this be? We are created to be connected with the Source of our lives; the Creator of the Universe, our God and King. God delights in us; we belong to Him, and He cares deeply about us, and His love for us is unconditional. It is written:

Know that the LORD is God. It is He Who made us, and we are His; we are His people, the sheep of His pasture. 

Psalm 100:3

God calls us Sheep, and for very good reasons; as a Shepherd cares for his sheep; so too does God care for us. Sheep have characteristics that makes them perfectly suitable to be cared for by a Shepherd. Let us look at some Characteristics of Sheep:

•  Sheep have no sense of direction
• Sheep are defenseless
• Sheep can’t get up without help
• Sheep are emotional and recognize the Shepherd’s voice
• Sheep are not meant to carry burdens
• Sheep are valuable
• Sheep can not care for themselves when wounded
• Sheep are innocent

To some persons, some of these Character Traits are undesirable, and even undesired. Yet, the Bible speaks favourably about sheep; Jesus calls Himself The Good Shepherd; and we are the Sheep of His pasture. Surely, we can depend Him at all times and have the guarantee that He will lead us to green pastures. In the same way Sheep can depend on their Shepherd, as Daughters of the King, we can depend on our King. Nations who attain freedom from their colonizers Celebrate Independence; in the Kingdom of God, Queens Celebrate Dependence.

Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.   

St. John 10:11

In as much as we are guaranteed the highest quality of care by our King and Good Shepherd, desiring independence would be unwise. We have much to celebrate because even in depending on our Maker for guidance, direction, strength and courage, we still boast a freedom to be the best that we can be, and we are rewarded for it. What more can we ask for; we have so much confidence that we can say:

 I lift up my eyes to the hills. Where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 121:1-2

As a Queen, how are you like a Sheep? The King makes help and available to His Queen at all times; do you embrace the King’s provisions? As Queens, we Celebrate Dependence on our King because The Heart of The Matter is that we is Sold Out to our King. We are careful to Ask, Seek and Knock, and Dare to Do Right, always For The King’s Pleasure.

COME ON LET’S CELEBRATE. EVERYDAY IS DEPENDENCE DAY!!