Mary, Queen of Scots (1542-1587), was known to have had a terrible temper, which at times made her angry and vengeful. When in this spirit, any who called upon her did so at considerable personal risk to their happiness and well-being.
John Knox, a student of John Calvin and a leader of the Protestant Reformation in Scotland, was an outspoken foe of the staunch Roman Catholic Queen Mary. Until 1567, when Mary was deposed from the throne, she and Knox had many fierce conflicts.
Once, at a time when she was in a particularly foul, angry mood, Knox was called into the presence of the Queen. One of her servants who himself was secretly a Protestant believer, knowing of her extremely bad spirit, rushed to Knox to warn him.
“Whatever you do, stay away from that woman. Don’t keep that appointment,” he cried frantically.
Knox is said to have calmly replied, “Why should I be afraid of spending a few minutes in the presence of the Queen, when I have just spent four hours in the presence of the King?”
We live in a dark world, ruled by its prince, Satan, who ever seeks to destroy the believer’s joy and testimony if he can. In order to walk free of his traps and obstacles, is it not vitally important that each child of God spend much time in earnest prayer? What strength, wisdom, peace and liberty may we have as we avail ourselves daily and often of the “throne of grace” (Heb. 4:1616Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16))!
Ed.