By Rev. John Franklin
Salem United
Methodist Church
“My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recited my verses for the King; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever. Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
“You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad. Daughters of kings are among your honored women; at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir.” Psalm 45 1-2, 6-9 NIV.
It never ceases to amaze me how God’s word is always exact and precisely what is needed for the occasion. This Psalm is one of praise, maybe for a human king, but today I point to the King of Kings, Christ Jesus.
Jesus is the only King that our world will ever know who personifies, in every way, the attributes praised. A human king can not truly love righteousness and hate wickedness because of human failings. Jesus has been set above everyone because He is the Son of God and has been anointed to be the true King of the world, and his reign will be one of justice for everyone.
Christians must realize that our loyalty is to Jesus and not an earthly ruler because Jesus is the only one with whom our fates are ultimately secure. Jesus said to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s but give to God that which belongs to God.
Our Savior and deliverer is Jesus Christ and our praise is to be directed to Him. Praise the Lord in your homes, praise the Lord in your churches, praise the Lord in the highways, praise the Lord in the grocery store, praise Him when you get up and when you lie down, in plenty and in want.
He can be trusted and He is worthy. Praise the Lord and give Him the honor and glory that is due Him. Be bold in your praise to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Putting your total and complete trust in Jesus the King means we place our faith in God. Our praises belong to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. Praise God when you pray because God inhabits the praises of his people even as they pray. Amen!
