Today's Scripture Reading (November 24, 2025): 2 Chronicles 1
Officially, it is called the "Commonwealth
of Nations." Informally, it is more often referred to as the "British
Commonwealth" or simply the "Commonwealth." Currently, the
Commonwealth is led by King Charles III, comprising 56 sovereign nations, none
of which rule over another. The nations that comprise the Commonwealth of
Nations have declared that they share certain values and goals, which they have
chosen to pursue and promote. These values include a belief in democracy, the
existence of inalienable human rights, adherence to the rule of law, the
equality of people before the law, free trade among nations, and a desire for
global peace. These beliefs are the glue that holds these 56 nations together.
What I find interesting is
that while the Commonwealth is built around these principles, there was an
understanding late in the reign of Queen Elizabeth II that it was the Queen who
was actually holding the Commonwealth together. The fear on the part of royalists,
and even part-time royalists like me, was that when the Queen died the
Commonwealth of Nations might die with her unless the crown skipped a generation
to the reign of King William V. Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8,
2022, at the age of 96, and the crown did not pass to King William V; instead,
it went to King Charles III. And why shouldn't Charles have taken the crown? It
was a position that he had prepared for all of his life, more than seventy
years of learning how to be King. Charles felt like he deserved to try to reign
as King. At the time, I think most of the royal watchers expected that the days
of the Commonwealth were growing short. Without Elizabeth to keep the nations
focused on the shared vision, the member states of the Commonwealth would likely
quickly begin to drift apart.
Fast forward three years, and
so far, the predicted exodus has not materialized. Charles III has acquitted
himself reasonably well. There is no doubt that cracks remain in the
Commonwealth of Nations, with many who view the idea of a monarch as antiquated
and something the world no longer needs. That is a discussion we should have.
But, maybe unexpectedly, Charles has emerged as a better King than most thought
he would be. And, maybe, we could even say that he has established himself over
his kingdom of nations.
As Chronicles begins the tale
of King Solomon, it would have been natural for the nation to wonder how
Solomon would do as King. He had received every advantage that a King could
want at the beginning of their reign. But, at the same time, and much like Charles
III, Solomon could never live up to the King that his dad, David, had been. Yet
again, possibly unexpectedly, Solomon established himself over the nation. However,
Chronicles also tells us why Solomon was able to establish himself as the ruler
of his kingdom. Solomon's greatness originated with God. And Solomon would only
be great if he were willing to depend on God.
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading:
1 Kings 3
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