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?
There are various words for one: hassock, ottoman, pouffe (I never understood this one – it’s French apparently), stool, footrest. It’s the thing that you put your feet on when you are seated or reclining. I have an armchair that goes back and the part under my feet lifts up to support them. Perfect for watching the cricket on the TV.
Psalm 99 calls it a footstool. Not so much for reclining – but something a king on a large throne would place his feet on to ensure they weren’t simply dangling.
1 The Lord reigns, let the nations tremble; he sits enthroned between the cherubim, let the earth shake. 2 Great is the Lord in Zion; he is exalted over all the nations. 3 Let them praise your great and awesome name – he is holy. 4 The King is mighty, he loves justice – you have established equity; in Jacob you have done what is just and right. 5 Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy.
The psalms vary a lot – some are lament, some are desperation, some are praise, some are anger. Psalm 99 has one key message – God, the Lord – He is King. King of Israel, and King of the whole earth – and He is awesome.
And our response – is to exalt Him, and to worship at His footstool.
If you get to a king’s footstool, two things have happened – you are low down and you are close. You are probably on your knees because you are in the King’s presence – but you are also close to the king in a way that most people don’t get to experience.
This is the wonder of what Christ has made possible for you and me. We get to come to the king, to come right up to HIs throne, and to worship.
As the New Testament puts it:
16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)
We can come confidently – but on our knees to the king.
Let’s do so today – to worship and to find grace to help us.
May your day be strengthened by God.
Love Matt