Jesus is King!

First Things First...

Jesus is King!
"How awesome is the LORD Most High, the great King over all the earth! “
Psalm 47:2 (NIV)

This blog, really is about hiking. You know, taking little treks out into the wilderness, enjoying the great outdoors with friends and family.... learning about nature and the natural world around you, but before we begin, let's put the first things first and get things into a Christian perspective with some Christian thoughts to think about and consider as you embark on a personal journey into the real wilderness area around you. It is my hope that these thoughts will inspire and encourage you as you plan and prepare for stepping out into the real wilderness around you. This is a complication of notes from a Hiking Project I did with my own family, once upon a trail.....

To get started, all you have to do is want to go hiking and be sure you are in good health for the activity. You will need to select hikes near where you live that are of interest and ability for you and those you plan to hike with. Because this is a hiking resource, we will begin at the very beginning... and as you know, in the beginning...


"Where did everything around you, even you, come from?"
Answer: God

(Wise philosophers and smart scientists throughout the centuries have been attempting to answer, probe and solve this very question for all mankind.)

The simple answer, one most "scientists" (and many philosophers) do not like, is "God." They do not like the notion that God ultimately rules and will judge the world of sin.


What do you believe?
What do you think about God?
Do you think of God as a King over you and all the earth?


If you believe in God and believe the scriptures call the Holy Bible to be true, that is great. It's also great that you want to go hiking, get back to nature and feel the wind on your face. Hiking can be a great way to make time to stop the business of life and conside life, the universe and everything... even God.

Sometimes things seem way out of control. Sometimes we don;t understand why things are the way that they are, but as Christians, we know scriptures tells us and we profess to believe Jesus is King. He was even crucified, albeit mockingly, as King of the Jews. Why?

Because Jesus is King! (John 18:37-40)

But what is a king?

Time for a definition... A king is a male ruler or sovereign over a kingdom, one with absolute rule and power and you should look up the definition of king in your own dictionary, maybe even several to see what they say. And you should think about what it means, to be a king. What exactly does it look like to have absolute rule and power?

Think about that.

Understanding what a king is may be difficult for you because in recent history, kings are pretty much obsolete. Here in the United States of America, it's been over two hundred years since we had a king. In fact, no one is alive today who can remember the Revolutionary War, but we all have learned it was the king's oppression of the people, his tyranny, that caused the revolt from which the United States was subsequently born. Since that time we have been one nation, and we have declared that we are one nation, under the rule of God, (not the King of England,) but in our rejection of God, we seem to have forgotten the power of a ruling and reigning "king." Today we see few kings who rule the land, to whom men are subject, but this has not always been so for throughout human history, there were many human kings who ruled various states and providences, each passing on the reign of authority to their sons.

As you can see, God, in scripture, is referred to as a King. He is present to us as the creator of all things, and ruler over all. He is the father, and he has a son who is his heir. (Hebrews 1:2)

As king, God deserves to be honored by men, and his ways, his decrees and commands should rule our lives. But God being the deserving of our honor is more than an Old Testament thing, for it is God who sent his only begotten son, our savior, Jesus Christ, into the world. He deserves the same honor as his father the king.

In 1 Timothy 1:17. It reads, "Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen."

There was a time in Israel’s history when God’s people desired the rule of a king like the other nations of the world. While God’s divine appointment of King was David, the people of the nation Israel desired a different leader, one more comely and stately... in their opinion. Their favored person to be king was man by the name of Saul. It was this man, Saul who was the first king of Israel and this instead of David, whom god had anointed for the position. Despite the will of the people, David did become king and he ruled and reigned because it was what God ordained.

As king, Saul persecuted David and was jealous over him. (1 Samuel 18-27) Trusting in the providence and authority of God, David honored God in his dealing with Saul and eventually took the throne.

As king, David had his failings, because he was but a man. but he still honored God. As king, David recognized he was not God, even repented of his sin, realizing that there is no earthly man who can rule as justly as God himself. God loved David and God continued working through David his plan for a savior, and eventually, through the line of David, came Jesus, the one who was to come, God's promised seed. Righteous and Holy, God and man, he was named Jesus, because he was to save the people from their sin. Jesus was king of the Jews and he was to rule as Son of God, and king, but, if you know history, you know he was rejected and crucified instead.


An Activity To Get You Thinking

As a starting activity, look up the word "king" in a dictionary and think about what a king is and what he does. Have the children in your care make a list with you of all the kings (and queens) they can think of both real and make believe, noting where they ruled and reigned and where they lived. If you want a long list, use an encyclopedia or the Internet.

Separate the ones on your list into two list, fictional kings or real. Then, consider:

1. What were these kings known or famous for?

2. Were they “good” or “bad”? Why?

3. What qualities should a good and wise ruler have? (See if you can come up with at least five)
Then look over your list of what makes a good king or ruler and think about Jesus.
Does Jesus fit any of those qualities? Can you find some examples from scripture that support your answers for each quality you see in Jesus that makes him a good ruler?

You will see that Jesus is indeed and very good candidate to be a king.

4. Select a Bible verse or two that you like, one that expresses that Jesus is King and Lord and write it out. (You may use a concordance if you need help. Also, you may wish to memorize it or illustrate it as a keepsake or poster to hang as a display.)



But wait...this really is about hiking. You know, taking little treks out into the wilderness... enjoying the great outdoors with friends and family.... learning about nature and the natural world around you. So, what is all this about Jesus? And why is this blog titled, Hiking with the High King? Does it really have to be religious?

Hiking is, like life, an adventure. Life and hiking both require some survival skills, things you need to know so you do not die exposed to the elements. There are dangers. Like hikers need a map, a compass and some direction to get where they need to go, people need God as a point of reference in their lives.

Whether it's in the daily living of life here in the wilderness outside of Eden, our original God created home, or in hiking through the wilderness of our natural world we need to give thought to our ways and our existence, else we simply aimless roaming around lost, and wind up dead. We cannot be reckless and wild and expect to live or hike very well. We need direction and guidance to get us through all the adventures that do come our way. By following wisdom, by seek to understand, to do what is right and good, by looking and listening, and using our minds as we discover life around us, we will also draw closer to God and God will reveal who he is, if we do not already know.

He is king, and Christians, people who are part of the kingdom of God do recognize that Jesus is rules and reigns with authority and power. They know they are subject to Him. So, you see, when you are living with Jesus in your heart and mind, you are essentially, walking with the Lord. For the Christian who is hiking we can say, "Hiking," with the High King!

There are many spiritual paths a person can take in life, as many as there are wilderness of the countryside to sojourn in... but there is only one way to know God, one true and right way back to the eternal life intended for man by God, and that way is through Jesus Christ. Putting one foot in front of the other, we will walk the journey of life or the hiking trail. Putting our faith in Jesus Christ, God will be with us wherever we go.

We need not fear. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.... Christians will walk the walk of faith, even go hiking, with the High King.



Here are some more Christian thoughts to meditate on:

1. The natural world is created by God, not created by some cosmic accident of random chance or chaos.


Gen 1:1
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.



2. The natural world is tainted with sin and death and must be overcome. Jesus Christ ultimately overcame both on our behalf by His death and subsequent resurrection from the dead.


John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.



3. God's hand and workmanship can be seen in the living reality we are in. It's good to be outdoors and see the world face to face, to feel the wind against our skin, to be cold and hot, hungry and thirsty, tired. It is good to feel alive, to know our need, and then to find refreshment as well as to be strengthened by our ability to endure. People like you and I need to get out of the house and car more, to turn of the television and go play outside where we can experience the natural, God created world, and see nature, reality face to face. If we are never vulnerable, how will we know our need? There is much we can learn from observing the world around us.


There is much we can learn from the Word of God!
Rev 3:16-17..."Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:"

And

Mat 6:26-27
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

Psalm 19:1-4
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world



4. There are real dangers in the wilderness and real things we must consider. You can bet that you will end up dealing with unexpected problems that arise. You may only encounter mosquitoes on a hike, but you could also encounter a snake bite, and you should be prepared and know what to do to mitigate and meet the challenges of the hiking trail. Be prepared for anything, knowing that you can encounter unforeseen situations, but most importantly ultimately trusting God not only to lead you and guide you, but to help you in time of need.

Proverbs 16:9
A man's heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.

Psalm 46:1-3
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

5. There are lots of people who know things about the wilderness from which we can learn what to expect... and as for our faith, there are many witnesses too...

Consider...
Acts 10:37-43...
That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem..... To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

John 3: 12: (Jesus speaking)
"If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?"


6. We people on Earth are somewhere between the two worlds of life and death, darkness and light, good and evil and we have discovered many ways of protecting ourselves from harm, sometimes we even fear going our of our comfort zones because we know the dangers that there are and we are afraid of the unknown. Remember Christian, that God is with you. He has promised to never leave you or forsake you. He is real.


Job 24
particularly Job 24 verse 14-17 They are of those that rebel against the light; they know not the ways thereof, nor abide in the paths thereof. The murderer rising with the light killeth the poor and needy, and in the night is as a thief. The eye also of the adulterer waiteth for the twilight, saying, No eye shall see me: and disguiseth his face. In the dark they dig through houses, which they had marked for themselves in the daytime: they know not the light. For the morning is to them even as the shadow of death: if one know them, they are in the terrors of the shadow of death.


Duet 4:27 -31
And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you. And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; (For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them

And so, embark now on your own wilderness adventure...