The Coronation of a King

Introduction

“He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor.” —1 Samuel 2:8

This is a short story of a personage unknown–one set to be crowned as king, yet what of it? All have a story; from poverty to riches, or riches to poverty; from deprivation to wealth, or from wealth to deprivation; from low status to high status, or from high status to low status; from peasant to king, and from king to peasant. One can see a trend, a sort of rising, or falling. Often, we hear of a falling down, yet let us think of a rising–not because it is more pleasing to the ears, but because a rising emboldens, fuels–we must wonder, what of this person rising? Rising refers to success, yet what undergoes a person who for his entire life has known nothing but poverty and depravity. This is that story, which expresses a fear of succeeding and a fear of failure.

The Being

“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying: "I gave birth to him in pain." 1 Chronicles 4:9

There was once a man of humble estate. Of humble I speak of deprivation, not totally, but so much to the point where he knew himself not. Depravity, this, and that, often leads to a thought of material possessions–a car, a house, a wife and most notably food. Yet there is another aspect, as this man knew himself not to be of honor. Much less, did not perceive himself to have any qualities of fascination. While many were esteemed in one thing or more, he saw himself esteemed in none; while many were regarded as high status, he was despised and made fun of. And so, what can we think of this man? That if we were acquainted with such a fellow, we too would regard him as worthless—as a nuisance, or a bizarre individual. Are we justified in such? I am not entirely sure, that is not up to me. Yet so human it is when a person seems of no interest, for them to be stripped of whatever being. So, human it is that one of low status is despised, ignored, and ridiculed. Thence of humble estate, for that man was stripped of everything admirable, he grew with no traits favorable. So he thought.

However, this man had a quality that shines bright. As my good friend Stephen puts it (drawing on his philosophy), he had something that lay down in the depth of himself, like all do. For in our being, we possess certain qualities which distinguish us from others—the very case of being an individual. A pure heart? A kind soul? Ah yes, you could call it that. He was a kind soul, one who is exceedingly rare in the generation we live in. This kind soul saw himself as nothing, for again if he were thought of as being nothing, then so too would he express that. Treated as nothing he was too, ah how spectacular–that a person wonderful and bizarre, is treated as nothing. Yet it is all too human, for how often is that shown. For an individual to be regarded as both fascinating and “weird,” a gem and rubbish, worthy and worthless—what is that due? Perhaps fear of such a person? not in the sense that we think, but due to his being misunderstood. The nature of humanity so vile and putrid, drawing to the pure heart, yet seeing it as weak and defenseless---and as humankind usually do, use such a person to their advantage, to bolster the ego. Now imagine if such a person truly was more than kind, that he had abilities far above what he knew, that he truly was blessed by a “God” like Solomon was–for when he asked God for wisdom, God surely went above and beyond, “God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore” (1 Kings 4:29). A misunderstood, kind, and intelligent person. Hmmmm!

Notice this in society, a person of extreme wealth and one who has one. Who does the populace gravitate to? Surely, he who has influence and power, one who is admired and sought after. Do you think the person I speak of is as such? No! I would argue not, for as the saying goes, “IN PROSPERITY OUR FRIENDS KNOW US; IN ADVERSITY WE KNOW OUR FRIENDS” (JOHN CHURTON COLLINS). A man in constant adversity has but few friends. Strip that man of all his wealth, his possessions and influence, make him stand bare before the populace—and in the blink of an eye, all who were around him will leave and run to another. The cycle continues. That man was only admired if and only if he were of use to certain individuals. Too common? Let us use a better example, a man intelligent and wise, one like Solomon whose wisdom was, “greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt” (1 Kings 4:30). That man in society would surely be esteemed and wanted, YES VERY WELL, you all answer. Much need too? OF COURSE, YOU EXCLAIM! Yet why? Due to his intellect or wisdom. Many will come everywhere, high, and low to simply, “listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom” (1 Kings 4:34). It is not the person you truly admire, yet what he has…for without it he is nothing. He is only approached when a person wishes to hear of a certain thing or wishes to find an answer—he is wanted only when he does as the populace wishes—and he feels wanted then, yet after, all alone, destitute, and miserable. For those who truly admire his character, who respect him, who gravitate to his being, stripped of his wisdom and intellect, very few or none. Like Solomon, all surround him, not due to his being, yet due to his riches and wisdom—stripped of these, many who surrounded him would fade like smoke.

This man who has a deep heart, kind and intelligent realized that he was needed in as much as he expressed his intellect. Thus, it must always be sharp, he must always be right, always must have the answers—if not then he does not exist, is to be forgotten, swept away. Gone. Yet lowly he was, praying for an intervention–praying for his head to be lifted. And lifted slowly his head began to be, for in his lowest moment he cried out, “Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my territory! Let Your hand be with me and keep me from the evil one” (1 Chronicles 4:10). BLESS HIM AND RAISE HIM UP! As he is ignored and despised. In raising him, he will be a peasant no longer, ignored no more—and he will be appreciated, enlarge his territory, as he is put down, as he is attacked, and perhaps then he will be safe. If he is raised up, then he will never feel as though he is being put down. If he is blessed, he will live up to what he must do. While many ridicule him, claiming that he is not worthy of nothing—that he will be a nobody, while he himself believes and repeats such statements, reasonable he is to exclaim such. Yet he does not really seek riches, nor admiration–RAISE HIM UP, refers to being. Give him life, make him somebody, though he feels like a nobody. Raise him up not for him to be haughty, but to see that God truly favors him, that indeed he is honorable. Worthful. That those his enemies, those who tried to extinguish that flame inside of him, failed HORRIBLY! That he has a purpose in life, something unique to contribute. As, “Each is endowed with limitations--but also gifts. If we refine the gifts with which we are blessed, we will discover something unique to contribute” (Norman Finkelstein). Make known to him his gifts, make him see his limitations as well—thus, he will have realized that his life is not at all worthless, that he too has a wonderful purpose, an excellent work set for him to do, even though others diminish him---claims that he can never do anything. That he himself believes he is of no use. RASIE HIM, he prays.

The Table

One day God was walking to and from, and he decide to look down upon the Earth...lo and behold, it so happened that the personage was praying. And God was curious. And with the nature of curiosity burdening the soul to know, to behold and understood--therefore here was God, listening to this man--he was hearing the prayer of this man. WOW! A God far above this man, takes time to listen to this man. A God of infinite majesties, self-sufficient, glorious and in no need of a single person. A mere mortal has gained the attention of God, how fearful and yet, so wonderful. And so, God looked at this man and smiled, responding with, “Surely as I live, you will rise.” And so, he did, slowly at first. Yet his growth began to compound. Day by day he found favor in the eyes of God, daily he received blessings. As a gardener daily tends and waters his plants, so was God to this man. Yet too, those who despised him noticed a change within him, that he was rising. That he who they knew was of low status, worthless, bizarre and all the pejoratives in the book, is much more fascinating. different. He looked different, spoke differently, acted, and thought differently. Yes, truly the Lord is with him. He who was excluded at the table, is having a table set for him by God. Oh, how wondrous that is. When humans count you out, yet the Lord does not. How amazing, that they who saw him as a nobody, he who saw himself as a nobody, is a someone. He who was rejected by society, is not himself a reject. He whose gift was ignored, is worthy. Yet of what? Worthy he is not, for what man is worthy of good? NONE, for we all deserve death, from a righteous God. Yes, we do…yet there is a God of mercy, which often is ignored. That this God looks down on humans, and his heart tears within him, they who are his beloved are marred with defects, are ridiculed and persecuted. What does a God like that does? He sits and laughs? Enjoys and eats well in heaven above, with no care? Exclaim that this is what we deserve? No, and what a cruel God that would be, he entered creation and tried to mend our wounds, to make us whole—to lift the head of those bowed and to make well the sick. Yet so often we hear of a cruel God, one of sheer punishment, that his disposition is to banish evil doers to the dark abyss, forever forgotten. This man thought that, yet the favor God has given him, shifted his perspective and understanding. So, worthy? I leave that to you. Favored though not worthy? Yes, that he is. None can ever be worthy, not in a million lifetimes, yet all are favored, all can be chosen, all loved---despite our state.

So, with that thought, this man rested in God–though he deserves it not, yet he has received a promise by God, that yes son, this is all yours. In the same way the Israelites were given a promised land, this man too was given a “promised” table. And slowly but surely, that promise begins to unravel–here and there blessings, joys heard from this man could not be understood. Very well good man, be merry and laugh, rejoice, and shout, yet keep in mind one thing, to not lose that table. To not squander what God has given you. A pervasive thought, that he might do just that.

The Fear

“The LORD is my shepherd” (Psalms 23:1).

And with that thought a fear gripped him, it began to suffocate him. Daily he thought of great men like David, Moses, Jacob, Gideon, Samson, Solomon and many more, who became great, yet in their greatness failed God. Or tainted and even squandered what God has given them. Men who have disappointed the table setter, caused him to recoil in his throne and exclaim, “Oh HOW IS WISH I NEVER GAVE IT TO HIM, I KNEW HE WOULD FAIL.” And so, he wept, though God was setting a table, his joy began to dissipate. Every blessing was like a sharp knife, flaying him. And so that table which he was meant to enjoy, became a burden. His anxiety grew, and he believed that he would squander all that God had given him—oh the state of humankind, oh the folly. Thinking that a God who gives to his children will remove what he has given, even when he has promised it. Imagine if the Children of Israel’s promised land was taken away as soon as they stepped foot in it. What kind of God would that be? So, it is not God who is to be blamed; it is the person given the promise. All these men esteemed and mighty, at one point strayed from the path. Rejected God as their shepherd, thinking themselves to be Kings in their own right. Yet that led to…squandering of what God gave.

God told him, “SON! CEASE THIS NEEDLESS ANXIETY. I Am not a God who plays with the heart of my Children. If I have said something, I will do just that. Yet I ask for one thing, that you follow me and that I lead you. If not, then you will indeed squander what I have given you.” And so, the man became even more fearful–as he wondered, I will squander, as I am already a nobody and it seems as if all that I have, I squandered. And God said, “TRUST ME SON!” further, “relinquish that thought you have, that you are in control of what I’ve given you.” He slowly began to realize that what God has given is truly for him, and what God has given he will uphold, so long as he does his part in allowing him to do such. Slowly, he began to relax, his anxieties began to fade. Realizing that a dependable God, a God who promised him, will uphold his end of the deal—yet so does he. And so, he prayed, “Let Your hand be with me, and keep me from the evil one" (1 Chronicles 4:10). Further, “Oh Lord, protect me from myself, my fears, my anxiety–keep me from falling, from disappointing you. Let your hand be my guide, so that my folly does not bring me to ruin. Oh Lord my God, let your power be greater than mine, lest I break from you and do what I want. Let my ears be open always, let me be vigilant always, and let the path you have set for me be clear. I pray to you God, to lead me and sit beside me at this table. To not let my enemies exclaim, “Look at this fool, he is now again a nobody.” Please Lord I pray this prayer, keep me from the evil one; both within and without, yet you know my greatest enemy is none other than myself. Protect me from myself. Amen.”

And as he grew God nourished him, daily he is reminded to watch his folly. To control his anxiety, while he was reluctant at first—he soon began to work, to build himself, to grow into a person of character and temperance. His anxiety? Still present, yet he works. His faith? In God, for he realizes this, “God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns" (1 Peter 5:10). And so, he sleeps with this verse, eats this verse—prays this verse. Yet his anxiety PERSISTS. Scolding him, exclaim that eventually, he will indeed squander what God has given him. And so, he lays on his bed, tears flowing exclaiming, “I do not deserve this at all. I am a nobody. There is one more worthy than me, one more chosen for this table. At once good take it from me, as I will fail you like the others. I will waste time like the others. And like them you will regret having made me.” While he expected God to respond, “Sure indeed.” God said otherwise, "No son, you are not perfect. This is not for the perfect. No son you do not deserve this, yet I have chosen you. I have not called another for it is you I have chosen, and rest in this, I do not call the qualified, I qualified the called.” He thought, “wow much of this problem rests on myself.” And he spoke well, very well, he believed that he will be the one to uphold himself, to keep himself from falling, that his destiny SHAPED BY GOD, rests in the palm of his mortal and feeble hands. How Hilarious! That a man who can neither count the hair on his head, nor control nature as he wishes, thinks that he has power to control his future…truly folly, for in doing so he neglects that it is God who builds him up. That it is God preparing that table and not he. And what does he do? Despite the anxiety, he seeks to stay calm, to lay at the feet of God and be equipped. To learn and understand. From folly to wisdom, from intemperance to temperance; from weak to strong, yet strong not on his power, but on God. And so, he realized, “these thoughts that I have were self-centered, I can no more carry myself than a person carries three hundred elephants on the palm of his hands.” So, he grew, allowing God to form him. Realizing that the creator of the universe is with him and truly WHY MUST HE FEAR. Or WHOM must he fear. He is not the author of his story, God is. Though fearful of the table, he walks slowly but surely to it. Though afraid of the task he had been shaped for, he began to do it gladly, yet fearfully, so carefully.

The Coronation

And so, a crown was laid on his head, his name changed. Annointed, you could say. And he beheld the crowd, smiling and waving his hands. He is happy and joyous, and yet a thought came to his head, no two. The first is like so, “I am the king of the world, look at me.” Careful! The second, “For you are not, remember who you are and what is.” The world lays at its feet, yet it is not for the taking. For, “The world is the Lord’s and everything in it” (Psalms 24:1). Many men have stood where you have, thinking that their intelligence or power is to be used for conquering the world. Careful now. God has given you a task, do it well. In all you do, do it for the glory of God, in such it will be well. Seek to please God, and silence that pride within. The table is not meant for you to eat and be glad, to be stationary—no, the food at the table is indeed meant to be enjoyed. However, there are many who hunger, feed them. Many who thirst give them something to drink. You have been given an opportunity to serve God, and my boy, serve him well. And he looked up to the heavens, fell on his names and exclaimed, “Oh how foolish of me, you LORD are King of kings, and Lord of lord, to you all power belongs. I have none, yet whatever you have given me is not to boast or rejoice in---it is to do a wonderful job, and for that Lord, I will do a fantastic job indeed. Be with me. Amen.” He sat at the table and began to eat.