Princess Kate talking to the little Ukrainian girl
“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them,” Isaiah 11:6.
I was made to think of this verse this morning when I saw the headline on a newspaper website. This verse refers to a future time of blessing when the Lord Jesus shall take up the throne and government of this earth as is recorded in Revelation 11:15.
“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.”
That event will usher in the time of blessedness, peace and holy knowledge as prophesied by the Psalmist. “All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name,” Psalms 86:9.
It is a time when every facet of life on this earth will be gloriously changed. Even the animal kingdom will know the benefits of Christ’s reign as our text at the head of this article indicates. A great ‘tameness’ will come upon them to the degree that even “a little child shall lead them”. The words “shall lead’”carries the meaning of ‘carry, guide’. It speaks of animals such as the wolf, the leopard and the young lion submissively yielding to the hand of a mere youngster. When we think of the recent news reports of so-called domestic dogs killing infants within the homes in which they are kept, this verses truly speaks of a great change indeed.
The phrase, ‘a little child shall lead them’, is often applied to the influence of the young upon their elders with regards the things of the gospel. One of the elders in Kilskeery FPC, many years ago, was first made to think of eternal matters when his little daughter, who was a pupil at Lisbellaw FPC Sabbath School, spoke to him in words akin to, Daddy, you will go to hell if you don’t get saved!’.
It is this application of the words that sprang to my mind when I read a headline in one of yesterday’s news’ websites. Kate Middleton reveals how listening to her daughter Princess Charlotte sing a hymn made her ‘very happy’ as she meets young refugees from Ukraine.
That same topic appeared again in today’s press and as I saw it I was reminded of the verse above and the application commonly given it.
One ‘hymn’ that Princess Charlotte sings and which makes her mother, ‘Catherine, Princess of Wales’, to give her her proper title, happy, is entitled ‘Shine Jesus Shine. This is disclosed in a recorded conversation between the Princess and a little Ukrainian girl in the article.
Now the ‘hymn’ referred to is a modern composition and is credited to one, Graham Kendrick. He is reportedly a member of Christ Church in Tunbridge Wells which can rightly be classified as ‘new evangelical’ at best!
Here is the first verse and chorus.
Lord, the light of your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness, shining
Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us
Set us free by the truth you now bring us
Shine on me, shine on me
Shine, Jesus, shine
Fill this land with the Father’s glory
Blaze, Spirit, blaze
Set our hearts on fire
Flow, river, flow
Flood the nations with grace and mercy
Send forth your word
Lord, and let there be light.
The tune which accompanies this ‘hymn’ is of the modern mould and I would find it unacceptable, being one who believes that hymns should be sung to music that manifests a reverent tone and differs greatly from the ‘jazzy’ themes loved by the world.
BUT, having said that, the words of the chorus especially form a most commendable prayer for the nation at this time, were it sincerely offered in faith. I could not help but marvel at the wonderful sovereign grace and mercy of God that he should have a child of the royal household sing such words to the pleasing of her mother.
That in turn provoked me to pray that whoever hears such words as these may be caused to search God’s Word for further information on just what it is that the Bible has to say to this nation, once so blessed through the preaching of that blessed Word!
Dear reader, remember the Royal family in prayer, so misled, so misguided by generations of false prophets and ecumenical charlatans and would-be Romanists, that truly the singing of ‘a little child shall lead them’ to a knowledge of God’s Holy Word and to a knowledge of their sins forgiven through the salvation that is found ONLY in Christ Jesus our Lord.
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent,” John 17:3.
Sincerely in Christ’s name,
Ivan Foster