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?
Bom dia
Guten morgen
Konichiwa
Hoe gaan dit
Standing on the door of my church, greeting people on Sundays, I learnt to say hello in so many languages. I thought I was rather cool. I’m not sure the folk from all over the world were quite so impressed – but I hope they appreciate the effort.
What it shows is that Christianity is truly global. People from every nation, gathering to worship God and be the church together.
Psalm 96 calls all the nations, all the earth, to come to God, the true God, the greatest God, the God of Israel:
1 Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. 3 Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples.
10 times this psalm speaks of the nations, the earth, the peoples and the world. This isn’t local religion – this is global. The God of the Psalms is not just the god of one nation – He is THE God of the whole earth. He is greater than all the other gods
4 For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. 5 For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the Lord made the heavens.
This is part of the wonder of the story of God found in the bible. God is looking for people “from every nation, tribe, language & people” (Revelation 7:9). Christianity is not British, it’s not European, it’s not Israeli – it is global. You can come to God in any language. You can read the bible in any language. No nation has the leadership of Christianity. You can wear whatever clothes suit your culture. You can sing to God in any style. You can eat any kind of food.
God is looking for men and women from every nation who will simply turn to Him, follow Him and start to live for Him.
Dios te bendiga
Love Matt