A REDEEMER TO THE RESCUE –

Since the compilers of the Psalter are gathering psalms that deal with counsel and dependency on God for direction in a person’s life, they include a love song written especially for Solomon’s inauguration as king; who would later become known for his wisdom, as well as his book on love—Song of Songs, to be sung at his wedding. It is so majestic, that many scholars see it as divine inspiration in preparing a Song for the Messiah in advance to His coming.

“My heart is so stirred with majestic words for You; I long to recite my poem worthy a King for You; using my tongue like the pen of a skilled writer. You are handsomely dashing in appearance; Your words flow so eloquently that everyone knows that the One True God anointed You as someone special. So with splendor and majesty, O my Champion, strap on Your sword of truth and ride out to glorious victories, as You uphold truth, humility and doing what’s right; showing that with Your talent nothing is impossible. Let Your sharpened arrows bring conviction to the hearts of Your enemies, sending them to their knees in submission to You. For the throne God has given You will last forever, and Your reign will be known for equality. For You love rightful living and hate wrongful conduct; proving to everyone that the One True God, Your One True God has anointed You over all others with the oil of gladness. ” Psalm 45:1-7

Reflection: Everyone in the inner-city church in New York knew the little Puerto Rican lady named Maria. She wanted so much to become involved in ministry after being led to Christ, but she barely spoke English. However, she loved children, so they sent her out with one of the buses that brought kids to church each Sunday from low-income neighborhoods. She would look for the worst-looking kid on the bus, put him or her in her lap and whisper over and over the few English words she knew: “I love you, Jesus loves you.” She became especially attached to one little boy who came each Sunday with his little sister. Although she sat him on her lap all the way to church and then back home again, telling him over and over, “I love you, Jesus loves you,” he never uttered a word. That was until one Sunday on the way home, he suddenly turned around as he jumped off her lap and stammered, “I…I…I love you too!” Tears filled Maria’s eyes as she glanced at her watch to check the time; it was 2:30 p.m. By 6:30 p.m. that same evening, the little boy lay dead. His drug-crazed mother beat him to death and threw his bruised and lifeless body on a pile of trash. “I love you, Jesus loves you,” were the last kind words this little lad heard in his short lifetime. Maria used her one talent for God, and God used her to let a small chap who never heard the word “love” at home, to experience and respond to the love of Christ through her. Like this Psalmist who felt inspired to share his excitement about God’s favor with this newly crowned king of Israel, we do not know how many times these words guided Solomon in times of trouble, especially at the end of his life. So let the Psalmist’s effort and the conduct of kind-hearted Maria serve as an example for us. So that whenever the Holy Spirit gives us a kind word for someone who needs to hear about God’s love, we may never know if our voice is the last one they hear telling them, “I love you and Jesus loves you.”