KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS

George Frederick Handel's Messiah was first performed in London, England, on March 12, 1743.  The king of England was present for the premier, and he was deeply moved by the time the performance reached its climax with the "Hallelujah Chorus."  At the words, "For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth," the king could not contain himself any longer. Overwhelmed by the music and lyrics, he rose to his feet, and the entire audience joined him.  They remained standing throughout the remainder of the chorus.

From that time on, it became the custom for audiences to stand whenever the chorus was performed.  Queen Victoria, however, was advised shortly after she ascended the throne, not to stand when she went to hear Messiah.  Her advisers explained that the appropriate protocol was for her to remain seated, regardless of what other monarchs may have done in the past.

As the chorus began and the singers were proclaiming, "Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth," Queen Victoria remained seated, with great difficulty.  Then, as the chorus began to proclaim Him the "King of kings and Lord of lords" she rose suddenly and stood with bowed head, as if she desired to take her own crown from her head and cast it at His feet.

In the presence of the King of kings and Lord of lords we can do nothing less than stand in awe and praise at His majesty and bow before Him in worship.  The glory of the Lord cannot be compared.  It cannot be fathomed.  It is higher, more awesome, more wonderful, more majestic than anything we can comprehend with our finite mind and limited senses.  The glory of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting.

Once we catch a glimpse of who is making a way for us out of our time of trial, all else will fade away.  The more the Lord becomes the focus of our desire and our praise, the more our problems seem to dissipate.

– from God will make a Way… Stories of Hope

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