Psalm 16 makes me think about the qualities that make one a true hero. I applaud the daily sacrifices of those who chose to put their lives in danger to protect mine. The world is filled with such people, and I thank God for all of them. I realized yesterday, as I read David’s psalm, that there is another kind of hero I tend to ignore. David knew about heroes; he was famous for killing a giant when only a small boy. He gave credit for the kill, but I admire him for his willingness to do God’s will. That makes him a true hero like the ones in his psalm.
Keep me safe, O God,
for I have come to you for refuge.
I said to the Lord, “You are my Master!
Every good thing I have comes from you.”
The godly people in the land
are my true heroes!
I take pleasure in them!
Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods.
I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood
or even speak the names of their gods.
Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
You guard all that is mine.
The land you have given me is a pleasant land.
What a wonderful inheritance!
I will bless the Lord who guides me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.
My body rests in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.
You will show me the way of life,
granting me the joy of your presence
and the pleasures of living with you forever. (NLT)
There is joy, gladness, pleasure, and safety in knowing that God is right beside me. David knew God was always with him and had an intimacy with The Creator that allowed him to be a hero.
I stopped for a moment yesterday and thought of all the godly people in my life. I was taken aback by how quickly so many came to mind and how varied they were. While at lunch yesterday, I ran into one of my former coworkers. He was a janitor who took a great deal of pride in his work. He was, and still is, truly a godly man. After talking to him for a few minutes, I realized he was a true hero like the ones in David’s psalm. What a blessing to look into his peace-filled eyes and see a man who did difficult and dirty work for years with a smile and a gentle manner.
Heroes aren’t meek and mild in books and movies, but I see a glimpse of Jesus in those meek heroes who go about doing God’s will without making much ado about it. Jesus was a mild mannered man who didn’t live up to the heroic expectations of those around Him, and He was killed because of it. I’m glad God put Psalm 16 in my path this week to help me remember to stop and notice the true heroes that literally surround me.
A minister once told me that Jesus was a bleeding lamb; He is a bleeding lamb, and He will always be a bleeding lamb. Most want a hero who is a warrior, and they can’t wait to watch Jesus wreak havoc on their enemies when He returns. The world doesn’t like a meek hero and probably never will, but God made it clear in the life of His Son that is exactly the kind of hero He has in mind for His world.
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