This morning I will be preaching from Psalm 103:1-5 a sermon entitled, “Reaching Inward to God.” There is an important word in this passage that we all need to think about before we enter into worship today.
In verse 4, King David describes God as one, “…who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion” (Psalm 103:4).
The word CROWN is defined as a special headgear used to symbolize a person’s high status and authority. Donald Trump was crowned this past Tuesday by the people of the United States to be the next President of our country. There is no higher crown in this world’s community of nations than the crown of the Presidency. Certainly, Mr. Trump has made it to the top.
The crown that God bestows upon those who belong to Him is different than the one our President wears. David calls God’s crown a crown of “lovingkindness and compassion.” These two descriptive attributes of God’s crown reflect the character of God himself. God is loving and kind, “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:4-6). God’s crown portrays Himself. God puts Himself on our heads as the crown which defines our salvation.
The Bible says, “For His lovingkindness is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 117:2). Which crown is better, the one that comes by way of man’s approval or the one that carries with it the blessing and character of God? I believe the one David talked about is the one I want to wear.
The Book of Revelation portrays Christ Jesus with many crowns on His head, signifying His status as king, “And I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse, and He who sat no it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and wages war. His eyes are a flame of fire, and on His head are many crowns; and He has a name written on Him which no one knows except Himself” (Revelation 19:11-12).
These many crowns upon the head of Jesus Christ portray His ultimate victory and place as king in the heavenly kingdom. No one will be higher than Jesus. In heaven, His crown will become our crown by virtue of our faith in, and our obedience to, Him.
“Know that you who run in the race compete to receive the prize? So run, that you may win. Every man that competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath; but we an incorruptible crown” (1 Corinthians 9:24-25). While the crowns of this world are temporary, the one that Christ gives us is eternal.
Think about it, the crown of life for those who trust Jesus is a crown that reflects the character of God. It is a crown that lasts forever. I like the old spiritual:
I’ve Got a Crown, You’ve Got a Crown,
All God’s Children Got a Crown;
When I Get to Heaven, Goin’ to Put On My Crown,
Goin’ to Shout All Over God’s Heaven.
God’s crown is truly something to shout about. Praise God for your crown this morning.