“Must Jesus bear the cross alone, and all the world go free?
No, there’s a cross for everyone, and there’s a cross for me.
The consecrated cross I’ll bear till death shall set me free;
And then go home my crown to wear. For there’s a crown for me.”
I feel led of God the Holy Spirit to address this issue of WHAT TO DO WHILE WAITING TO BE CROWNED. Since you and I can’t be Crowned “Till death shall set me free and then go home,” I thought it would be profitable and pertinent to probe this Interim Period of Delay. And so the Question is: WHAT MUST YOU AND I DO WHILE WAITING TO BE CROWNED? I wonder, are you interested?
If you are, then our Target Text is Psalm 27:1-3. In the KJV it says:
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.”
Now, countless individuals have come to this Psalm and seem to have found a sense of comfort even a measure of confidence. And that is good. And yet, of those countless individuals a large number has misappropriated its message or staked a false claim on its content, simply because it was never meant for them seeing they bear no consecrated cross and endure no redemptive suffering.
This Psalm is intended for BATTLE-TESTED SAINTS, SOLDIERS IN THE ARMY OF THE LORD or, if you please, THE SALVATION ARMY. Its aim is to comfort and encourage those SAINTS OF THE SOVEREIGN who are on the BATTLEFIELD. It is not meant for that person who seeks temporary relief from a human induced problem of their own making. Nor is it intended for those who run to the Lord for Shelter only when trouble comes their way and when the storm is over, walk away without even a word of thanks.
This is a Psalm of David, a Man of War and not the Song of Davida, an effeminate person who loves pleasure and play! This is a Psalm of David, who had experienced personally the Inner Conflict and Tension involved in Faith. For in the first Six Verses of this Psalm, David is on the mountain-top of Confidence proclaiming His Security in the Lord his Light, Salvation and Strength. But then in Verses 7-14, he is in the Valley-Low of Doubt pleading for the Mercy of not being Forsaken!
Yea, this Psalm is meant for those of us who know of the “Sometimes up and sometimes down, almost leveled to the ground” thing. It is meant for those of us who have serious dealings with this “Abundance of Joy and Down to the Bottom Poverty” thing. It is meant for those of us who have experienced this “Wounded in the house of a Friend” thing. THIS CONFLICT-TENSION THING IN FAITH!!!!
Note this CONFLICT-TENSION THING IN FAITH IN DAVID’S LIFE. For historically and contextually, David has been ANOINTED KING, but is KING IN EXILE fighting for his very life. Either driven from Israel to keep him from assuming the throne by King Saul or else driven from the throne in a Coup Attempt by his son Absalom. David is a KING without a THRONE, a Kingdom and WITHOUT A CROWN. Destined to rule as King on the throne, but Fighting a Great Fight just to Preserve His Life. That is the situation we confront in our Text. We confront this ANOINTED YET ANNOYED THING, THIS ELECTED YET EXILED THING, THIS PERSUADED YET PERPLEXED THING, THIS FAITH YET FEAR THING!!!
And it would seem like TO HAVE AN ANOINTING ON YOUR LIFE, TO BE UNDER THE ANOINTING OF THE LORD, IS A DANGEROUS BLESSING!!! For the Anointing marks you out as Different, it sets you a part from the group; it makes others take notice of you; it makes you a target of attack. For mind you, our Lord Jesus warned us in John 15:19-20 saying: “If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because you are not of the world but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. IF THEY HAVE PERSECUTED ME, THEY WILL ALSO PERSECUTE YOU …” TO HAVE AN ANOINTING ON YOUR LIFE IS A DANGEROUS BLESSING!
And so it would seem like David’s trouble started when HE STOOD UNDER THE HORN OF ANOINTING IN THE MIDST OF HIS BRETHREN. For at the Act of Anointing, the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that time forward; but the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled Saul; and from that day, Saul became David’s enemy and tried repeatedly to kill him. THE ANOINTING SET DAVID UP AS A TARGET!
And so, here is David in Exile, a King Without A Crown, pondering the question: WHAT MUST I DO WHILE WAITING TO BE CROWNED?
I submit THERE’S AN ANOINTING ON YOUR LIFE, IF YOU ARE SAVED BY GRACE THRU FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. YOU ARE AN ANOINTED KING/QUEEN. This anointing says that YOU ARE DESTINED FOR GREATNESS; YOU ARE MORE THAN A CONQUEROR; YOU WERE BORN TO CONQUER, TO REIGN, TO MINISTER POWERFULLY IN JESUS’ NAME; THAT YOUR HEAD WAS MADE TO WEAR A CROWN!! But you also recognize the fact that ever since YOU STOOD UNDER THE HORN OF ANOINTING, YOUR TROUBLES STARTED! And so, you are wrestling with the CONFLICT OF BEING ANOINTED YET ENDANGERED; EMPOWERED YET WEAK! And so, you are wondering, WHAT CAN YOU DO IN THIS INTERIM PERIOD WHILE WAITING TO BE CROWNED? Well, let me make a Few Suggestions. Let me suggest that THE FIRST THING YOU DO WHILE WAITING TO BE CROWNED IS:
I. ACCEPT THE FACT THAT YOU ARE GOING TO FACE THE CHALLENGE OF WAR IN THIS MILLENNIUM.
Oh yes, its not a question of ‘If.’ it’s a settled and predetermined fact that A HOST SHALL ENCAMP AGAINST YOU, AND WAR SHALL RISE AGAINT YOU IN THIS TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY! So you need to come to grips with that unalterable fact right now. You see, when the Spirit of God took up permanent residence in your life, THE WAR WAS ON!!!
Now it is not my intent to scare, frighten or startle anyone, but I need to tell you, IF THERE IS AN ANOINTING ON YOUR LIFE, THERE IS A HOST THAT SHALL ENCAMP AGAINST YOU IN THIS TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY! And its not the kind of Host that entertains, feeds and provides you room and board for a night or two. No, No! This Host is an ANGRY, HOSTILE, WICKED, OPPOSING ARMY; EVEN A DETACHMENT OF BRUTAL AND CRUEL SOLDIERS TRAINED IN THE ART OF KILLING AND DESTRUCTION!
Let me clarify, qualify and identify Who this Host is. The apostle Paul, in Ephesians 6:12, has accomplished this task for us. For he wrote: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities (Demons who control countries, regions), against powers (demons who control rulers, governments), against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” This Host, then, is AN ARMY OF FALLEN, DEMONIC, EVIL SPIRITS UNDER THE CONTROL OF SATAN HIMSELF. Demons are independent spirit-beings who occupy a position somewhere between God and us. Expelled from heaven, they live in deserted places. Can work phenomenal things. Have great power to cause illness, disease, mental problems, possess men, teach false doctrine and cause men to worship Satan.
You need to understand that Demonic Spirits Have Declared War On You Because of the Anointing. Satan has marshaled his forces of evil spirits to mount an aggressive attack on Your Life, Your Family, Your Friends and Your Finances. This Host of Demonic Spirits shall Encamp Against You with the intent of STOPPING YOUR PROGRESS IN HOLINESS, DESTROYING YOUR CHARACTER, RUINING YOUR REPUTATION, STEALING YOUR LIFE, YOUR JOY, YOUR PEACE, YOUR WITNESS, YOUR CONFIDENCE, YOUR ANOINTING!
But more importantly, you also need to understand that THIS HOST OF DEMONIC SPIRITS MUST USE SOME KIND OF TENT! In order to be able to wage effective war against you and I, these Demons MUST HAVE A TEMPORARY SHELTER, AN EARHTLY HOUSE, A MATERIAL FRAME OR FORM. And so, they Use THE TENTS OF FLESH AND BLOOD - HUMAN BODIES. THEY USE THE BODIES, THE TENTS OF THE UN-SAVED TO ENCAMP AGAINST US!
They also use THE TENTS OF SECULAR INSTITUTIONS, SUCH AS UNIVERSITIES, COURTS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, BANKS, CITY GOVERNMENT, SOCIAL AND EVEN RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATION SUCH AS SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERIES, SO-CALLED MEDICAL MIRACLES AND COMPUTERIZED INFORMATION, TO ENCAMP AGAINST US.
But inside the Tents of the Body of Wicked Men, who operate the Tools of Technology and Run the Secular Institutions, are Demonic Spirits who rule the darkness of this world. So we must recognize that whenever and wherever we see TENTS encamped against us, DEMONIC SPIRITS ARE WITHIN THOSE TENTS.
WE SHALL FACE THE CHALLENGE OF WAR IN THIS TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY. It shall be Spiritual Warfare, in which, there shall be A BATTLE FOR OUR MINDS. Forces shall attempt to make us conform to the mind-set and thought-processes of the world. We shall be pressed to view only this Sense-World as reality; pressed to walk by sight; ordered to rely on our own understanding and make decisions without acknowledging the Lord. BUT WE MUST NOT CONFORM! WE MUST BE TRANSFORMED BY THE CONSTANT RENEWING OF OUR MINDS. Also it shall be A BATTLE FOR THE SOULS OF THE NOT-YET SAVED. WE MUST ARM OURSELVES FOR THE BATTLE OF EVANGELISM. We must invade the turf and domain of Satan to free the captives from the kingdom of darkness. For Satan still has his fingers in the eyes of men. He has blinded the minds of those who believe not lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ should shine unto them. Therefore, we must remove his fingers with the Power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
Since we Face the Challenge of War in this Twenty-First Century, then we must Put On the Whole Armor of God, that we may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Let’s take the Girdle of Truth, the Breastplate of Righteousness, Gospel Shoes, the Shield of Faith, the Helmet of Salvation, Sword of the Spirit and the Covering of Prayer.
For Putting On the Whole Armor of God is important, because THERE ARE SOME FEARS TO BE CONQUERED IF WE WOULD BE CROWNED. So, let me suggest here that WHILE WAITING TO BE CROWNED THAT:
II. SECOND, YOU CONQUER YOUR FEAR BY YOUR CONFIDENT FAITH.
For you might as well admit that the prospect of Facing a Host of Evil, Demonic Spirits in the Future Is Frightening. You might as well admit and confess that the thought of having to do battle with Wicked Men Armed with Technology and the Power of Institutions at their Disposal Is Scary! But before Your Fear causes Your Heart To Faint, I want You to Remember WHAT THE LORD HAS ALREADY DONE FOR YOU IN THIS MILLENNIUM, THIS YEAR.
For not too long ago when the Wicked One who hates you used the Tents of those who hate you because of the Anointing rushed down upon you to destroy you; don’t you remember what happened? THEY STUMBLED AND FELL! THEY COULD NOT CARRY OUT THEIR PLAN. THEY WERE STOPPED IN THEIR TRACKS. THE LORD TOUCHED THEIR ANKLE BONES AND THEY REELED AND ROCKED AND FELL DOWN!
Don’t you remember when your enemies had conspired and lied to get you fired from your job and THEY FAILED, AND INSTEAD YOU GOT A RAISE?! What happened when you fell behind on your payments and the creditors tried to take your goods and destroy your good name? All of a sudden THE MONEY CAME IN FROM SOMEWHERE JUST IN THE NICK OF TIME! Don’t you remember the time when your teachers, principal and administrators had decided to kick you out of school, and SOMETHING HAPPENED THAT MADE THEM BACK OFF AND YOU COMPLETED YOUR GRADE? Don’t you remember when sickness put you down on your back and tried to squeeze the life out of you that all of a sudden YOU GOT UP AND RECOVERED FROM DEATH? THE LORD JUST TOUCHED THE ANKLE BONES OF YOUR ENEMIES AND CAUSED THEM TO STUMBLE AND FALL! AND DON’T YOU RECALL THE JOY, EVEN THE LAUGHTER, THAT ENTERED YOUR HEART WHEN YOU SAW YOUR ENEMIES HAD FALLEN AND COULDN’T GET UP? THEY AND NOT YOU STUMBLED AND FELL!!
LET THE PAST FORTIFY YOUR FAITH FOR THE FUTURE. What the Lord has done in the past, He will do in the Future. For no weapon that is formed against you shall prosper. CONQUER YOUR FEAR OF THE FUTURE BY YOUR CONFIDENT FAITH IN WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE IN THE PAST. Since they stumbled and fell in the past, they shall stumble and fall in the future. Therefore, WHOM SHALL YOU FEAR? OF WHOM SHALL YOU BE AFRAID?
Well then, I know I MUST FACE THE CHALLENGE OF WAR IN THE FUTURE. And I know that FAITH IN PAST PROVIDENCE ENABLES ME TO CONQUER THE FEAR OF FUTURE FOES. BUT WHAT MUST I DO NOW IN THE PRESENT WHILE WAITING TO BE CROWNED? Well, allow me to offer this THIRD SUGGESTION:
III. CONFESS RIGHT NOW THAT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST STILL IS THE CAPTAIN OF YOUR SALVATION.
That’s what David did in verse 1 While Waiting to be Crowned. He confessed: “The Lord is my light and my salvation. The Lord is the strength of my life.” In other words, THE LORD STILL IS THE CAPTIAN OF MY SALVATION; MY GUIDE-MY SAVING KIND OF GUIDE!!!
Now is the time for you and I to confess that THE LORD IS OUR LIGHT. Meaning: HE IS THE SOURCE OF OUR LIFE. In Him we Move, Live and have our Being. Our life is hid with Christ in God. We live By Him and Because of him. We are crucified with Christ, nevertheless we live; yet not us, but Christ lives in us. And the life which we now live in the flesh, we live by the faith of the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us.
THE LORD IS MY LIGHT. Meaning: HE IS MY GUIDE. When I’ve lost my direction, He’s the compass which points my way: He Is The Way. He guides me into all truth. Teaches me His way. Leads me in a plain path. Enlightens my understanding. He’s my Cloudy Pillar by day and Fiery Pillar by night. He’s my Sun by day and my Moon by night. He’s my North Star and Bright and Morning Star. He leads me beside stilled waters and thru the Dark Valley of Death. HE’S MY GUIDE!
THE LORD IS MY LIGHT. Meaning: HE’S THE CENTER OF MY JOY. All that’s good and perfect comes from Him. He’s the Source of my contentment, the Joy of all I do. In sadness He’s my Laughter, the Lifter of my head. When I’m all alone He cheers me. He’s my Music, my Song, my Melody all day long. YES, JESUS IS THE CENTER OF MY JOY.
Not only will I confess that the Lord is My Light, but While I’m Waiting to be Crowned, I will also confess that THE LORD IS MY SALVATION. He rescues me from harm. Frees me from injury. Keeps me safe from the reach of the Evil One. Preserves my soul from death. Liberates me from violence. Keeps me safe from all alarm.
HE’S MY SALVATION. Meaning: He has already delivered me from the Penalty of Death, the Curse of the Law and the Wrath of God. He IS delivering me from the Power of Sin. And He SHALL deliver me from the Presence of Sin when He shall descend from heaven with the voice of the archangel, and at the sound of His voice the dead in Christ shall hurry up and rise, and we which are alive shall be changed quicker than right now and faster than hurry up, and shall be caught up together in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. THE LORD IS MY SALVATION!
Not only is the Lord My Light and Salvation, but I must confess right now that THE LORD IS ALSO THE STRENGTH OF MY LIFE. Meaning: He’s my Refuge from Danger. My Stronghold in Time of War. My Safe Place in times of Disaster. My Armed Fort against the advancing army of the enemy.
THE LORD IS THE STRENGTH OF MY LIFE. Meaning: When I need Shelter, I JUST RUN TO THE ROCK. When I need Protection, I JUST RUN TO THE ROCK. I just say: ROCK OF AGES, CLEFT FOR ME; LET ME HIDE MYSELF IN THEE. I tell you, He’s a Stronghold that has never been taken; a Fort that has never been captured; a Refuge that has never been invaded!
And as I’m on my way to my seat, I think I need to tell you that WHILE WAITING TO BE CROWNED, I’LL JUST PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME!!! For that seems to be what David says in verse 6. He says: “I WILL SING, YEA, I WILL SING PRAISES UNTO THE LORD.” So, While Waiting to be Crowned, I THINK I’LL JUST PRAISE HIS HOLE NAME!!
I think I’ll Sing A Song. I think I’ll Sing:
“THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND MY SALVATION.
THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND MY SALVATION.
THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND MY SALVATION.
WHOM SHALL I FEAR?
THE LORD IS THE STRENGTH OF MY LIFE;
WHOM SHALL I FEAR?
WHILE I’M WAITING TO BE CROWNED, I’LL PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME! “WAIT ON THE LORD: BE OF GOOD COURAGE, AND HE SHALL STRENGHTEN THINE HEART: WAIT, I SAY, ON THE LORD.”
