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 went off to college, I was given a picture to hang on the wall that contained a verse from Psalm 27. I was 19, I had recently become a Christian, and had plans to take over the world for Jesus. But the verse I had been given as a gift was, I thought, a bit soppy. It was verse 4:
4 One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
The one thing I ask??!! Is the most important thing to dwell in God’s house and stare at Him? At the time I thought I wanted a verse about God’s power, miracles, saving the world – that sort of thing.
But now, this verse has become one of the most precious. As I write and record this on Easter Sunday, I know that the most important thing of all, the thing that Jesus’ death & resurrection makes possible – is that we can know God, walk with God, talk to God and see God – every day, and forever. Nothing matters more.
Let this Psalm be your prayer today. It is amazing. The resurrection makes the prayers and promises in this psalm a reality. I have memorised verse one and pray it again and again:
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid?
If you are afraid – pray this.
Then the psalm finishes with an amazing promise. A promise that whatever is happening, it’s not over yet – and God can still do something.
13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.
Take heart friends. The resurrection tells us that it’s never over.
May God bless you today. Love Matt