“Receive this Orb, set under the Cross, and remember that the whole world is subject to the Power and Empire of Christ our Redeemer.”
With these words, the golden Orb, one of the most valuable pieces of the Regalia, was presented to Elizabeth, from the Altar of God. Outside, in the Coronation Coach, a special bracket had been fixed that she might carry it all the way from the Abbey on the return to Buckingham Palace, in full view of all the crowds that had filled every inch of space along the route, as many as twenty deep.
Constitutional Monarchy is an unusual thing. The Queen must summon Parliament, but the notes she reads there are not her own and must be read word for word.
Money and passports and stamps are issued in her name; ambassadors conduct their transactions on behalf of Her Majesty, but Parliament tells them how to proceed, what to do. It is said that if ever a Monarch were condemned to death, he or she would have to sign his own death warrant.
Certainly, Elizabeth did not receive the Orb as did many of her early predecessors, not with that kind of power, nor that kind of danger. The spectators that would cheer to see it knew that it meant blessing and protection to them, not taxation and servitude.
The world has turned over. People are vested with personal responsibility for self-government, and in many countries, government is subject to the people. Yet, in a mysterious way, Kings and Queens of today remind us that when God begins to bless a nation and chooses to lift a leader into prominence, royal or spiritual . . . royal and spiritual! . . . He knows where they live; He remembers what He has begun.
Shall we consider today what alterations we might have to make if we were to become responsible “under God?” If it were our duty to lead a nation, if it were our responsibility to shepherd a people, if we were King David’s rightful heirs or sons of the Levites . . . or Windsor children in line for the throne . . . what advice would we give ourselves?
Would we be sure we knew and understood what God says about leading and serving? How would we make sure? Would we be very watchful that our everyday guidance came from God so that we would not make tragic, national mistakes? How would we make certain it were so? Would we lead and reign in peace wisdom? Would we determine that our high and exalted position would make and not break us? How could we be sure?
It would be hard to miss the point . . . we do reign, all of us, over something. Some reign over a home, some over a classroom, over an office, over our own children, over a military platoon or brigade, over a bus or a business; everyone reigns somewhere. At the very least, we reign over our own souls, or we are meant so to do.
Oh, that we would take as much care over these urban and suburban and interior monarchies as Elizabeth swore to take over her peoples! We have the privilege of safeguarding and prospering their souls and ours as we pray, wherever faith and hope have given us a spiritual dominion. We hold the Orb of compassion, whenever we cannot bear to see depression, divorce, disease, despair, deception and death reigning in the lives of others. Many of us hold someone’s “world” in our hands.
Toward that exalted end, the Word of God reminds us from Genesis to Revelation that all God bequeaths to us, He will perform; He will bring wonderful success … we are His workmanship, with great responsibilities over which we must reign. (Ephesians 2:10)
Now his master saw that the LORD was with him and how the LORD caused all that (Joseph) did to prosper in his hand.(Genesis 39:3)
And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)
(Title quote attributed to Fanny Crosby, blind hymn-writer)
Cor Unum Abbey 