The funeral procession of King George VI in February 1952 was marked by both solemnity and grandeur. Nine kings, many princes, generals and other great men followed the royal coffin on its way to its last resting place in Westminster Abbey.
Among all these great and noble could be seen a little rough-haired terrier, led along by a soldier clad in the uniform of a Highland regiment. The little dog was neither well-bred nor very beautiful, and even if he had been, he was only a dog after all. But he walked near the gun-carriage which carried the coffin, and so had a special place of honor. Thousands of spectators looked with interest upon the rough little dog.
How did he come there? Ah, if you had been near enough to have examined his collar, you would have seen engraved upon it the words, “I BELONG TO THE KING.” He was King George’s favorite dog. He did not find a place there because he was a well-bred dog, but because he belonged to the King. There were many better bred dogs in London, but they would not have been allowed in the procession; they did not belong to the King.
The funeral of the late King George reminds us of another procession to take place at a time not far off. Many hearts will be glad in that day, but there will be many sad, sorrowful ones too. We refer to that time when the Son of God comes forth out of heaven as the rider on the white horse (Rev. 19:1111And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. (Revelation 19:11)), when “in righteousness He doth judge and make war.” We also read that “the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in linen, white and clean.”
These are they who know His love and have trusted Him as their Saviour in this day of His grace, but they will have been caught up with Him to reign. They shall be with Him then “when He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe.”
The greatest monarch that ever lived shall have no part in that glad procession if he did not belong to the Lord on earth. Yet the poorest boy or girl will be there if they belong to Him down here. You may be poor and rough and have bad habits, but you can trust the Saviour for He says, “Him that cometh unto Me I will in no wise cast out.” On the other hand you may be wealthy, clever, well-educated, and well-trained, but you need Christ just the same. You must receive Him now by faith into your heart if you would share His glory in that day.
Can you say, dear reader, I belong to the King?
ML 08/20/1961