Once upon a time, there was a little girl. She was a beautiful little girl, with long golden locks. She was very quiet and shy and always kept to herself. This little girl was the daughter of a king. The most powerful and righteous king that ever lived. He was the most loved and feared king in all the land. All of his subjects worshiped him and adored him, and all of his enemies hated him and cursed his name.
The king loved his daughter more than his own life. He adorned her with beautiful garments and jewels and delighted in spending time with her. The king even made a seat for his daughter right next to his in the royal throne room. His daughter was precious and well-loved by her father. There was only one problem. This little girl had no idea how dearly loved she was by her father. You see, a wicked king had come and kidnapped her away and locked her into a prison cell.
The evil king hated the righteous king. He hated him and wanted nothing more than to steal everything away from him and what most precious to him – his children. this evil king thought that if he targeted the righteous kings children, he could overpower him and take over his kingdom. Little did he know that the righteous king was far more powerful and his kingdom was destined to go one forever and ever. Yet evil never wants to give up, so this wicked king continued to try to attack him, waiting to be crowned in victory.
The poor little girl was treated very fairly in her prison. So much so she began to forget she was in a prison. She was given a new set of parents, a home to live in, fed, clothed and given many fun things to play with. But something was just not quite right, something always seemed to be missing. She could never remember what it was though. For the evil king had sown so many lies into her head, she forgot all about her wonderful father, and his undying love for her.
The righteous king loved his daughter so much, he refused to abandon her or give up on her. He sent in some of his mightiest warriors in the enemy territory in disguise, to look after and protect his daughter. While they could not completely protect her from every bad thing, they did protect her from many terrible things the evil king threatened to do to her. So the righteous king just continued to rule over his kingdom with justice and peace, waiting for the day his daughter would return. For he knew that his daughter would return to her rightful place, reigning next to him.
The poor little girl endured many, many hardships as she grew up, never realizing that her father was there, watching her and protecting her. And the evil king sent many of his most powerful soldiers to visit her often over the years. Yet these soldiers were disguised as beautiful and righteous, so she could never see through to the truth of how evil they were. Their beauty and their lies were so deceptive and she was so immature and weak, she simply could not fight it. So she continued to live in a prison cell, for it became quite comfortable in each passing year.
Until one day, the poor little girl began to wonder why she always felt sad…and lost. She began to wonder why she always felt as thought something very important was missing from her life. Almost like a piece of herself that was gone. At first the thought just quietly nagged at her. But as time went on, the thought became bigger and bigger, until it began to haunt her. Soon she became obsessed at knowing what it was that was missing. Why was she even missing something in the first place? It was a hunger that nothing could satiate – not even the beautiful lies the enemy king put in front of her. Before those things seemed to be like a band-aid on a child’s cut – perfectly soothing for a time. But now, she wanted nothing to do with those band aids, but wanted to rip them off and have a healing of the wound. Not just be temporarily soothed.
That is when the righteous king knew that it was time to rescue his daughter. She was finally ready! For you see, if he had tried to rescue her sooner, she would not have recognized him, and would have even ran from him in fear. But now, now was the time, the perfect time, to see her father for who he really was. The love of her life, her savior and her redeemer!
The righteous king told his soldiers who were in the enemy camp in disguise to begin to reveal themselves to her, slowly and steadily. And it was as if a veil had been ripped from before her eyes! Suddenly she was able to see that she was not at all in a comfortable home, but a horrid prison cell! Being held captive by deception and lies. But could she really come out? Was she really ready to come out? What would be waiting for her on the other side of that door? The little girl was afraid, for the evil king had tormented her for so many years.
The righteous king knew all this, and came to her. He stood before her, in all his splendor and might and held his hand out to her. He opened the door before her and called her out. “Come daughter, your freedom awaits you!” She looked at this man who stood before her, and wondered who he was. Was he really going to rescue her? “Yes daughter. I am here to give you salvation from this hell you are in.”
The girl took another look at the man, and tears began to spill from her eyes. The memory of her fathers kingdom, her beautiful garments and jewels, and the throne next to his, all came flooding back to her. She was overcome with anger and pain. Why had her father, this stranger before her, abandoned her? Why had he let all these evil things happen to her?! What kind of father would do such a thing? Is this how he showed his love?
Yet, tentatively she walked towards him, towards his open arms and his loving embrace. He looked to warm and inviting, his eyes so tender and loving. She moved closer, afraid, yet curious, but still an anger simmering just beneath the surface. Into his arms she inched until he had them wrapped around her. She melted at that moment and knew, yes, she was home!
The righteous king explained everything to her. The evil king and his plans, and how he tricked her and lied to her, and how the righteous king had been there all along, watching her and protecting her, even when she didn’t know it. At first it was hard to accept. But as he took his daughter home, he began to lavish her with love and blessings like she had never know before. It felt so amazing, and so right. That missing piece, that sadness was gone. Replaced with pure joy, hope and trust in her father, the king.
Healing and restoration began to take place in her life. She was no longer a little girl, but a queen. She was strong and confident and fulled with power and majesty, all because her father had been patient enough to wait until the perfect moment to save her. Through the righteous king, the girl saw what it was like to live in freedom from fear and oppression, and to fight the evil king. He often tried to come back to steal her away again, but he never could. For through her father she had enough wisdom and strength to fight him and send him running away in fright.
Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. Psalm 45:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6
For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. Psalm 95:3
Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. Hebrews 2:14-15
The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing. Zephaniah 3:17
