Order of the Polar Star

While researching my Swedish heritage, I decided to learn a little about Sweden's royal family. His majesty, Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden, ascended to the throne on September 15, 1973. As I read about the king and his family, of particular interest were the orders which the king had received. Royal recognition from not only Sweden but other countries have been bestowed on King Carl, and as King of Sweden, he has the authority to honor others with these royal awards.

For example, the Order of the Polar Star is an "order of chilvary" and serves as a reward for "civic merits, for devotion to duty, for science, literary, learned and useful works and for new and beneficial institutions" and can be granted to either Swedish or foreign honorees.

In the United States, the highest award that can be bestowed by the President of the United States is the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Imagine receiving an invitation from a monarch to visit his palace. Imagine learning that he intends to honor you with the highest honor he can bestow.

As I pondered these thoughts one evening while driving home, the Lord reminded me that he intends to distribute awards as well. Among the higest awards are the Crown of Righteousness, the Incorruptible Crown, the Crown of Life, the Crown of Rejoicing and the Crown of Glory. The Bible teaches that there are other rewards that will be issued as well.

In Sweden, crowns are reserved for royalty. For example, King Carl's eldest daugher Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden, is next in line to ascend the throne. In June of 2010, Princess Victoria married her personal trainer, Daniel Westling. Upon marriage, Daniel went from being an average Swedish citizen to a member of the royal family.

I was not born into the royal Swedish family, nor do I anticipate marrying or being adopted into it.

But, as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, I have been adopted into the royal family of God. Romans 8 teaches that if you possess the "Spirit of Christ" then you are "children of God", and if children, then "heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ..." Revelation 21 states, "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son." And again, Revelation 22:12 reads, "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."

God made a point to inform us of His reward system. In 1 Corinthians 9:24, Paul exhorts us to "...run, that ye may obtain."

I don't know about you, but I can think of no greater honor than to be the recipient of God's rewards. Run, that you may obtain.