Its Not About Me...
Do you ever get the impression that people are talking about you behind your back?
Someone once said, “Just because you are being paranoid, doesn’t mean that people aren’t really talking about you…”
Ok, back to reality.
In reality, we don’t likely occupy the mental space of others as much as we think we do.
For some, that observation is a relief; for others, it’s a minor blow to our egos.
One of the challenges of biblical interpretation is knowing when something applies to us and when it doesn’t. In other words, we need to know when the Bible is talking about us, and when it isn’t.
Picture from Quotesgram.com
The technical term for biblical interpretation is called “exegesis,” and it means to “lead out.” The idea is that we take what is genuinely in the text and pull it out and then apply it responsibly to our lives. Sometimes the principles, lessons, commands, and descriptions are easily applied to us.
Sometimes they aren’t.
Sometimes the Bible isn’t talking about us, at least not directly and a proper exegesis requires is to realize that the Bible is written for us, and it is written to us, but it isn’t really written about us.
Psalm 21 is one of those instances where we are reminded of this fact.
“O LORD, in your strength the king rejoices, and in your salvation how greatly he exults! You have given him his heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of his lips.
Selah
For you meet him with rich blessings; you set a crown of fine gold upon his head. He asked life of you; you gave it to him, length of days forever and ever. His glory is great through your salvation; splendor and majesty you bestow on him. For you make him most blessed forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence. For the king trusts in the LORD, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.”
(Psalm 21:1-7 ESV)
I don’t know about you but there are some things I have asked for that I haven’t gotten, there are desires of my heart that are unfulfilled and there is no golden crown atop my bald head.
Something tells me this Psalm isn’t about me.
It was about David (and I’m not David), but more importantly, it is messianic and looks forward to its ultimate fulfillment in the Person of Christ.
Jesus is the One to whom God has promised to fulfill His heart’s desires. Jesus is the One from whom God promises not to withhold any request, Jesus is the One who deserves to wear the golden crown, and it is Jesus’ who is most blessed forever. Jesus is the King who fully trusted in the LORD.
The good news is that Jesus is gracious enough to share what He earned with those, like me, who don’t deserve it.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.”
(Revelation 3:20-21 ESV)
The paradox of many of the scriptures is that I find myself the most blessed when I realize that they aren’t ultimately about me, they are about Jesus.
Keep safe, be well, and stay encouraged.
Brian