“I say of the holy people who are in the land, “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.” – Psalm 16:3, NIV

I have an old friend who has kept calling me ‘musajja wa Kabaka’ (nobleman of the king) for years.

Of course he does it to tease me because of my so-called ‘Baganda’ nose.

In ancient times, being a nobleman was for a few lucky men who served a monarch and swore their allegiance to him/her.  

Ascending into nobility was granted by the monarch after one had shown extra-ordinary bravery, acquired sufficient wealth or by royal favour.

Indeed, in the original languages, ‘noble’ is translated as ‘of the king.’

In feudal Europe, ‘nobility’ denoted a highly privileged social class.

Consequently, the nobleman had a lot of power and property, as a result of his allegiance to the monarch.

Today, ‘noble’ describes a person who is admired and honored because of his/her unselfish, charitable or virtuous character.

There’s a common maxim that says, ‘noblesse oblige’ (nobility imposes an obligation to care for society and the needy).

In our meditation today, King David declares that the saints are the true nobility in whom he greatly delights.

You shall never fail because by noble deeds we stand in the Name of Jesus.

The ‘saints’ (the holy ones) are those who have believed in Christ and depend on Him as their righteousness.

If you’re in that category, you’re one of the “noble ones” or the Church.

The Bible says; “But the noble make noble plans, and by noble deeds they stand” (Isaiah 32:8, NIV).

The true nobles are in Church where they make noble plans and execute noble deeds for the advancement of the Kingdom of God.

The Bible adds; “Their nobles shall be from among them, and their governor shall come from their midst” (Jeremiah 30:21).

As we saw earlier, ‘noble’ may also describe someone or something that is of honorable character.

There is a group of people described as “of noble character” in the Bible.

Acts 17:11 says; “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.”

The results of their “noble character” are indicated in verse 12: “As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.”  

That means that nobility of character entails daily meticulousness and diligence in the Word of God, which results into life-giving faith that also draws non-believers to the Lord.

Regardless of your social background or status, you’re a “noble one” – you’re ‘of the King of Kings’ – Christ Jesus! 

So, go on and consistently make noble plans.

You shall never fail because by noble deeds we stand in the Name of Jesus, Amen!

Prayer:

Almighty God, thank you for making me part of the social class called the nobility. Help me to always delight in your Church, which is the only true group of nobles in the universe. For the rest of my life, may I always make noble plans and stand strong by noble deeds, for the glory of Your Name, Amen!