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(A Heritage Hymn for the Family of God)
“Truth is forever,” and God is the embodiment of Truth. In the beginning was the word (John 1:1), and in Jesus Christ, God the Son, Truth became flesh.
The hymn under consideration is “When My King Shall Call for Me,” words by Lizzie DeArmond and music by Andrew L. Byers. It is based on Luke 19:11-13: “. . . he . . . spake a parable, because he was nigh to Jerusalem, and because they thought that the kingdom of God should immediately appear. He said therefore, A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.” Occupy can be translated, “put to work.”
As we examine the text of this hymn and break it down verse by verse, we see it is definitely reflective of our present state and plight in life today. Truth envisions every stage of life, past, present, and future. Surely, the writer was able to capture man’s true state. Further, the writer reflects hope and optimism, preparation, and anticipation of the King’s calling us to Himself.
An individual is able to experience his or her royal heritage because we are children of the King of Kings. Being born into a royal family means we have all the entitlements as sons and daughters of the King of Glory.
In stanza one, reality is espressed through a “happy song,” a pace of servanthood and faithfulness, and a bright hope, while recognizing we fret with life’s pressures. But they will disappear and the poet catches a vision of deliverance and interaction with our King calling for us.
In stanza two, the truth of our present circumstances is evident, reflecting the valley and mountain-top experiences we have faced. Often, in the humanity of our mortal bodies, we find difficulty in facing and understanding, or accepting, His will for our lives. However, when He calls us, strength and power are divinely supplied and we are enabled to perfectly submit and follow the King, God Almighty.
In stanza three, God’s power and majesty are shown: “He will hold me fast to the very last, for a tow’r of strength is He.” We at this point realize His complete strength and total power manifested through the call to service. We become excited with praise and adoration for the King. Because of His unlimited strength, power, and complete control of the universe, we are amazed by the completeness of God Almighty. We can relax and leave the leadership up to the King of Kings.
In stanza four we experience rejoicing in our labor for the King. An understanding of our extension of labor is realized for others. We strive to study and execute our labors in a excellent manner acceptable and fit for the King’s service. We further realize the joy of preparing for the King’s service.
The refrain is an expression of our sincere desire: “May He find me in my place, With a loyal heart doing well my part when my King shall call for me.” We experience complete joy and spiritual fulfillment in pleasing the King and living in a state of readiness and so experience God’s Kingship.
God’s Kingdom and the World’s
Many of the advocates of Socialism claim that it is a good enough religion for them. . . . the church is a distinct nation, a holy nation, and is not to be tangled and mixed with other nations in the world. Jesus said, “Ye are not of the world.” “I have chosen you out of the world.” I am not preaching away people’s power of citizenship. You have your franchise [the right to vote]; use it to the glory of God; it is your liberty. At the same time, remember that the ideal of a saint of Christ’s kingdom should be the paramount thing. You cannot beautify the Lord’s kingdom in this world by political reforms while the corruption and depravity still remain in the hearts of the rulers. The divine law of the kingdom of Jesus Christ will lift a man out of the bad and will make him a good father, a good husband; it will make a woman a good wife and mother; it will make children peaceable and obedient; it make neighbors kind and loving; it will make men good law-abiding citizens. We can be upright as subjects of the earthly kingdom and obey its laws, while our whole time, energy, thought, and effort should go . . . to the building up of the kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
There are a great many people who would make us believe they are out and out for Jesus Christ. We examine their employment of time, talents, possessions, and we find that the large percent goes over to the world and not to the kingdom of Jesus Christ. God wants His portion as we go along. God’s saints, or many of them, are blessed with poverty wherein abound the riches of their liberality to the glory of God.
--George L. Cole, Camp Meeting Sermons, 1913, “Two Kingdoms”
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