Died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years. A long life marked by a sense of duty
It is with great sadness to us all that her majesty the Queen died on Thursday the 8th of September 2022. There is much that will be said in the news outlets regarding her unmatched sense of duty and significant change that has taken place during her long reign. She is rightly marked out as an outstanding head of state, giving her life to serve her country in a selfless dedication that is rarely experienced.
She made it clear that she had tremendous faith in her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. She said very little about what she thought about many topics, but she was very clear about the truth of Jesus Christ. There are many examples, in 2011 she said:
“Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves – from our recklessness and our greed. God sent into the world a unique person – neither a philosopher nor a general (important though they are) – but a Saviour, with the power to forgive.”
We are rightly sad, we will miss our Queen. But she has been taken home to be with her Lord. She now knows joy like she’s never known. Here is Jesus himself describing the certain promise of life beyond the grave for those who put their trust in him. Speaking to the criminal on the cross next to him who has put his trust in him:
“Jesus said to him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:42
We can be sad for ourselves, but celebrate for her majesty that she has gone to be with her Lord and Saviour today. He has called her home. Here is the Bible’s description:
“Now the dwelling of God is with men and women, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:3, 4
Face to face with her God, as she looks into his eyes and he looks back at her, she will see in his eyes his unparalleled love for her, and her heart will want for nothing more. We can be wholly certain that for her majesty today is a glorious day greater even than her coronation in 1953.
At her coronation this prayer was prayed for the Queen:
God crown you with a crown of glory and righteousness,
that having a right faith and manifold fruit of good works,
you may obtain the crown of an everlasting kingdom
by the gift of him whose kingdom endureth for ever. Amen.
She went today to be a part of that everlasting kingdom of God.
There will be a special service in tribute to the Queen and her faith on Sunday the 11th of September 2022 at 10:30 am in All Saints’ church.
The building will be open Friday and Saturday during the day for personal prayer and reflection.
