This King of Glory

8-25-15

Psalm 24.8 Who is this King of glory?

     The Lord, strong and mighty,

     the Lord, mighty in battle!

I have a pet theory: God is not who we think He is; we'll get to really know Him someday for sure, but for now He is shrouded in brilliant glory into which we mortals cannot peek. Who is this King of Glory? The Lord, strong and mighty...

Also, I have a suspicion that God doesn't look like we want Him to look. Old St. Peter got a lesson in that one night, when Jesus stripped down to His knickers during dinner, wrapped a towel about Himself, and washed the disciples grimy, smelly men-feet (eww!!) Peter indignantly exclaimed, "No frickin' way Jose (Jesus)!! You ain't washing my feet; You must be crazy!" (I'm sure he used a semicolon...)

Peter’s preconceived notions of deity couldn't buy into a God, in His BVD's, wrapped in a towel doing what only the lowest of the lowest servants would do. (I think those with foot fetishes prefer clean, well-kept tootsies.)

And, I think most people prefer a someone who looks presidential (at least they used to; now they prefer one who looks St. Nick-ish, with a bag and lots of goodies...) And most will prefer a god who is a conquering god; a name-taking, butt-kicking God who by-god, gets things done! I think it's why the psalmist sang: Who is this King of Glory!? He ain't who we may think.

A friend of mine postulates Samson of old was some scrawny dude who didn't impress with looks or muscle, but only with awesome displays of unbelievable strength. In his off moments Samson may even have come across puny and maybe even pale. It wasn't his strength but God's... Who is this King of Glory? The Lord, strong and mighty!

God, who doesn't look like God, but really doesn't have to, unbelievably He gets things done; and His mere presence knocks grown men on their butts! Men with heads full of images of power and might and strength, who no comprende a God in a towel.

They don't get a God on a cross, they don't get a God flogged and bleeding; they don't get a towel-draped God who calls himself a servant.

I don't think the devil gets it either. I think the devil much prefers God with an AK47. I don't think the devil likes a God who isn't fluent in lies, and doesn't even have the accent.

Who is this King of Glory?

Who is this One who gave Himself for the likes of you and me? He is the Lord strong and mighty; the Lord mighty in battle (in a suit of armor that looks like it ought to have Hanes printed in the collar). The Lord strong and mighty who reigns His own way, not the way people, or powers, or principalities or rulers think He ought to...

That's this King of Glory!