“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” [1 Pe. 5:6-7]

“These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful.” [Rev. 17:14]

My ancestry on my father’s side, as far as I can trace it, goes back to Ireland around 1772. This has given me a bit of curiosity about the Celtic people and so, I’ve just finished reading a book about the Celts. The Celts so far as we know, never came together as one people in one nation ... rather they were a collection of tribes scattered throughout what we now call Ireland, Britain, France, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain [Iberia], and a portion of Turkey [known then as Galatia].  These tribes were large enough to be small countries and each had their own king. And even though they were related to each other, they often fought each other.

But on occasion for the greater good and strength against mutual enemies such as the Vikings, the Celts of Ireland would elect what they called a “high king”.  Each tribe remained unique and maintained their own king, but all people and all kings submitted to the high king who was king over all.

After reading about “high kings” the tune of a hymn popped into my mind with the words, “High King of heaven ...”  And I wondered if it was an Irish hymn ... and sure enough, words were added to an ancient Irish tune and the result was the hymn we know as Be Thou My Vision.  The last two stanzas are:

Riches I heed not nor man’s empty praise – Thou mine inheritance now and always; Thou and Thou only be first in my heart – High King of heaven, my treasure Thou art.

High King of heaven, when vict’ry is won, May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heav’n’s Sun! Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

Someone who understood Irish history and knew what it meant for their forefathers to submit to one high king as lord and protector saw a beautiful illustration of Jesus as our High King ... our Lord and Protector ... to whom all believers submit for our good and His glory.  The Scripture verses above remind us that as King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus is our High King. Before Him we humble ourselves in submission, trusting Him to exalt us at the proper time ... care for us in our trials of life ... and lead us in victory over our greatest enemies, death and Satan.  And when He comes on that final day of victory, we – the chosen and faithful – will ride in victory with Him!

Remember daily, to humbly submit to Jesus as our High King ... and thank Him for His sovereign care.

Pastor Jim