Psalm 103:1-2
Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!Bless the Lord, O my soul,and forget not all His benefits.
Back in the day—way back in the day—when Joyce and I were high school seniors, Joyce was crowned Homecoming Queen. I can still picture her sitting in the gymnasium on a makeshift throne along with her court. The crown on her head signified that she had been voted Queen.
The position carried no monetary rewards, and on the following Monday, the other students did not bow to her. She was just the same Joyce Harper as she had been before the celebration.
Later in Psalm 103, there is a beautiful reminder that two of the things we are to praise God for are love and compassion. We are in short supply of love and compassion in our present-day world. It seems more and more that we live in a dog-eat-dog world. Even Christians appear to be caught up in the struggle to get ahead regardless of the needs of others.
My sweet Homecoming Queen might have surrendered her crown after that night so long ago, but she has received a far greater crown from the Lord. She has the qualities of love and mercy as a gift from God. Joyce has a gift of sensing hurting people and then responding to them in a quiet manner to bring compassionate love.
Praise God that He is the One who crowns us with love and mercy!
Blessings dear hearts. Draw near to God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing!
—Pastor Cecil