“Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one, in your splendor and majesty.” (Psalm 45:3)
It’s no secret--He’s beautiful, most fair, not in appearance alone but because words of grace fall from his lips and in turn, share the grace of God to all who will receive it. Hard to wrap our minds around the fact that some will not receive the blessing of God, that they will not receive grace, that they despise His beauty. He is doing everything to make Himself enjoyable to every being, but some will not have Him. If they will receive the blessing of grace of His lips, they will receive the girded sword on his thigh.
Ever flip through a photo album and come across a picture that makes you stop and think, “well that’s interesting” and you spend time dwelling on that picture trying to take in everything you see, perhaps trying to resurrect a connected memory? Here’s a picture of some very strange, perhaps even hideous creatures before the throne of God. Notice their response to true beauty:
“And whenever the four living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to him who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before him who is seated on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They cast their crowns before the throne, saying, ‘Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.’” (Revelation 4:9-11)
One reason this deserves attention is that, despite the strangeness of these creatures (four faces, many eyes, wings everywhere), the One Enthroned does not chase them out of His presence, treating beasts as we might some unwanted animal gotten loose in the house; instead, The King receives their worship, their love.
An interesting turn in this love song though--the singer tells the King to strap on his sword. This is more than a symbol of power, but is also a tool, a weapon. Why would the writer sing to the King to prepare for battle? Why suddenly take up arms?
Because He is a
Mighty King and demonstrates His strength by dispensing grace first before punishment. He is valiant, strong, the champion, the chief, a giant (as it were)--but He does not show his might by the sword first. He loves them and they respond to His love with love of their own. But some do not respond to His love, His grace, His power-under-control. They make themselves His enemy.
He is a
Splendorous King. Remember how comely He is? How good, and honorable? Remember the words of grace that fall from His lips and pass God’s grace?
He is a
Majestic King. He is decorated with strength-under-control as He dispenses grace, receives and returns love, though He prepares to demonstrate the power of His might through His authority to rule.
So standing in the throne room, gazing on The One made so attractive by the grace of God, have you ever considered receiving His grace and love? He is fair and He is mighty. And forgiving--oh, how forgiving is He.
