As far as I can remember, Britain's Prince Philip has always been...
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
"Growing Tired"
August 9, 2017
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary. His understanding is unsearchable.
~ Isaiah 40:28 (ESV)
As far as I can remember, Britain's Prince Philip has always been ... Prince Philip.
I remember him that way because he and Queen Elizabeth were married in 1947, the year before I was born. He was 26 and she was 21 when they said their "I dos." Two years later, when Elizabeth became the ruling monarch, he promised himself to be her "liege man of life and limb." From that moment on, as far as the government was concerned, Philip had officially agreed to play a supporting role.
It's a role he has played well for over 65 years.
Those who keep track of royal statistics say that Philip has made 5,496 speeches, written 14 books, and taken 637 visits to other countries. He is the Royal patron, president, or member of 780 organizations, and he has made 22,219 solo public appearances. His last such act took place this month at Buckingham Palace where he endured a rain storm to greet some Royal Marines who had walked more than 1,664 miles to raise money for charity.
But now, according to the palace PR man, Philip is tired and is stepping down from many duties.
True, he still takes the stairs rather than the elevator, and he can still fit into the uniform he wore the day he got married. But, quite frankly, Philip is weary, and he is wearing out. Recent years have seen him hospitalized for a grab bag of illnesses and maladies.
That is why, after more than 65 years, Philip is going into semi-retirement.
Yes, he may still make an occasional appearance alongside his wife but, for the most part, Philip is through with his official, day-to-day schedule. He is done and is going to try and enjoy a much-needed rest.
Reading that story about Philip, I began to wonder, when will God decide He needs a rest? Think about it: not only has the Triune God created the universe and all that is in it, He also made our first ancestors and established them in an ongoing and harmonious relationship with Him.
Sadly, Adam and Eve didn't remain faithful, and they lost much of what the Lord had given them. Yes, they lost much, but not all. They still had the Lord's love and His mercy. Centuries later, in Bethlehem, that love and grace, became human. For the next decades, Jesus fulfilled the Law, resisted temptation, carried our sins, and died the death that should have been ours.
Read through the Gospels and you will find there was never a time when Jesus grew so tired He was ready to step away from His mission and do something else. He did all He had been asked to do and His third-day resurrection from the dead says His unwavering, unrelenting, uncompromising sacrifice has been accepted, and because it is -- all who believe are forgiven and saved.
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks You have saved me and continue to support me. Grant that I may have a spirit which never wearies of thanking You for the forgiveness and salvation the Savior has won for me. Keep me ever thankful for all You do. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
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