173. Crown and Diadem
Isaiah 62:3 Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God.
A crown and a diadem is the same thing: it is the symbol of authority. A king has absolute authority; whatever he says goes. He word is law, making law and enforcing it. A king’s crown makes him the lawmaker, judge, jury, and executioner. The subjects of the king want to get on his good side. His word can mean life or death for any subject under his control.
God, of course, is the only King, and there can be no other. And all authority in heaven and earth has been given to Jesus. This is good news because this king wearing the crown is wise and good, gracious and kind, always knowing the right thing to do and doing it. Therefore, all men would be wise to submit themselves to this king. We know He is good and will do the right thing for us because He has already given His life for us and given us eternal life. The Cross exhibits His Love; the Empty Tomb shows us His Life. The Gospel tells me I am glad to let Jesus be my King and let Him take over my life.
But there is further Good News in this promise: He gives the crown to us and makes us kings. The Lord shares His authority with us. Just like Jesus shares his life, so He shares His glory and authority. The Holy Spirit exercises this awesome authority in our lives. He grants forgiveness of sins; He gives eternal life; He leads and guides us in the right way; He develops and grows the fruit of the Spirit; He gives gifts to all, and finally, the Holy Spirit makes us kings with the right to rule over Sin, Death, and the Devil. We have the authority to pray in the name of Jesus to thwart the will of the Devil, the World and our own Flesh, and further the will of God in our lives (“Thy will be done…”).
This crown that we have been promised may be a very underutilized promise. We tend not to use it as often as we could. How much do we really pray for God‘S Name, God’s Kingdom, and God’s Will to be hallowed among us, to come to us, and to be done in our lives? We may indeed pray the Lord’s Prayer often, but do we use the crown to specifically overcome the Enemy and make our lives better? It is amazing that the Lord would entrust His authority to us, and make us a crown and diadem in His hand. Thank God for such authority over Evil.