The first casualties of upheaval can be love, kindness, and patience. But crisis is also a moment when love for God & one another can spring up. For 150 days, starting on 17th March 2020, I will write 300 words based on one of the 150 psalms in the bible. How can I find and give love in the midst of coronavirus?
What is the world coming to? So often a cry we make when we hear about selfishness, crime, greed & deception around us. In Psalm 12 King David calls out to God in desperation at what he sees around him:
1 Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race. 2 Everyone lies to their neighbour; they flatter with their lips but harbour deception in their hearts.
One of the gratifying things in the current crisis is the stories of human generosity. People actively seeking to serve their neighbours. It is a reminder that the world is neither all good, or all bad – it is a mixture. At times we are moved by people’s kindness, and at times we find ourselves in desperation at people’s inhumanity. Both are present at the same time. We are made in God’s good image – and yet we are fallen and the world is “in the grip of the evil one”. Both are true.
Our Psalm tells us of one thing that is altogether pure – not a mixture of good and bad.
And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times (verse 6)
God’s words are pure. Let’s take this opportunity to grab hold of them, listen to them, read them, think about them – let them change us. It’s the one place where we know we can go for the ‘pure stuff’.
Have a blessed day. Love in Him, Matt