Hope in the Battle

The legend of King Arthur and the knights of his Round Table is one that has been told in many forms. My favorite is through the musical "Camelot."  Arthur had a vision of a land and people who live in peace and harmony.  He gathered prominent knights from around the world who swore loyalty to him, agreed to observe a code of chivalry that required them to be brave and courteous, fight injustice and evil, and protect the weak and underprivileged.
 
The brotherhood of knights sat at a round table to discuss their adventures and make plans for peace. King Arthur's dream for Camelot came to an end as one of his knights, Sir Lancelot, fell in love with the Queen.  Arthur's illegitimate son, Mordred, exposed the affair and rose up against the orderly kingdom.  In the final scene of Camelot, Arthur is with his battle-ready troops.  A small boy named Tom comes and asks to become a knight of the Round Table.  He knows well the requirements for the knights and repeats one of their pledges:  "Not might makes right, but might for right!"  Arthur realizes that his dream has not died because someone from the next generation can inspire others to live it.  On the spot, Arthur commissions Tom as an ambassador to spread the story of Camelot.  King Arthur's hope for the future is restored.
 
Doesn't King Arthur's dream remind us of the one that our King has for us?  The plans of the Lord are for our salvation through Jesus Christ, our prosperity through living in peace and unity with one another, and our generosity in helping those in need.  He sent Jesus to the earth to share the good news.  While here, Jesus selected 12 disciples to live with Him, learn about Kingdom living and then demonstrate it to others.  Not only were the disciples commissioned, but so are we who are His children.
 
Look how the prophet Isaiah prophesied to Jerusalem after they endured many calamities.  "My people will know my name...How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, 'Your God reigns!’ ...Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted His people.  He has redeemed Jerusalem.  The Lord will lay bare His holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God." (Isaiah 52:6-10)
 
In Paul's letter to the Romans, he quotes Isaiah after asking some questions:  "...And how can they hear the message of life if there is no one there to proclaim it?  And how can the message be proclaimed if messengers have yet to be sent?  That is why the Scriptures say:  'How welcoming is the arrival of those proclaiming the joyful news of peace and of good things to come!'" (Romans 10:14-15-TPT)  We are like the small boy, Tom, being the sent ones.  Jesus told His disciples,  "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." (Mark 16:15)
 
Dear Ones, we are the sent ones tasked with sharing the gospel of the Kingdom of God.  We are citizens of God's heavenly Kingdom.  God has "entrusted to us the ministry of opening the door of reconciliation to God.  We are ambassadors of the Anointed One who carry the message of Christ to the world, as though God were tenderly pleading with them directly, through our lips..." (2 Corinthians 5:19-20-TPT)  The Passion Translation footnote says that "to be ambassadors for Christ means that we are diplomatic agents of the highest rank sent to represent King Jesus and authorized to speak on His behalf.  We are the voice of heaven to the earth, invested with royal power through the name of Jesus and authority of His blood."  As we share the good news, we are bringing joy to our King and helping to expand His Kingdom.  Psalm 78 tells the details of the journey of the Israelites and of God's faithfulness to them.  The Psalmist declares that the story must continue to be told:  "So the next generation would know them, even the children yet to be born, and they in turn would tell their children.  Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget His deeds but would keep His commands." (Psalm 78:6-7)  Amen! Let's keep the good news alive!