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?
When I was at school I didn’t think of myself as one of the cool kids. Not that stylish, not that confident. (You realise when you chat to friends, that almost all of us felt like this at school). So, I wanted to hang out with the cool kids, the ones that I thought were stylish and confident. Why? Because having their friendship made me feel better – even if everything else was the same – hanging out with someone cooler than me, made me feel more cool.
Psalm 21 is a prayer for the king. Now when you first read it, you could take the prayers and promises and apply them to yourself straight away. But is is a prayer for the king. Have a read:
1 The king rejoices in your strength, Lord. How great is his joy in the victories you give! 2 You have granted him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips. 3 You came to greet him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head. 4 He asked you for life, and you gave it to him – length of days, for ever and ever. 5 Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendour and majesty. 6 Surely you have granted him unending blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence. 7 For the king trusts in the Lord; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken.
Who is the king? Well, what’s the answer to every question in church? JESUS. He is the king, He is the one who is sitting on “David’s throne”. These prayers and promises are all about the Messiah – Jesus. They are a wonderful description of who He is, and what has been given to Him.
And the good bit is that, if we have turned to God with our lives, we get to hang out with this king. He’s the coolest kid in the playground – and we get to be his friend, his child. So whatever your situation, however you are feeling, if you are connected with Jesus – then you get to hang out with the one who has splendour, majesty, unending blessings, joy and who will not be shaken. Remember today that you are with Him – the amazing one who is described in these words.
Have a blessed day. Love Matt