Don’t Quit

Psalm 21 is a royal Psalm, a classification of Psalms written by or for a king. King David wrote the Psalm from a king’s point of view. And lest you think the Psalm only applies to King David, I would encourage you to consider the apostle Peter’s words:

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9, ESV)

If you belong to Jesus Christ, you are royalty (wow!). Consider the prayer of Psalm 21:1-7…and make it yours. Where you see the word “king” put the personal pronoun “I.” Here’s how that prayer would go:

O Lord, in your strength I rejoice, and in your salvation how greatly I exult! You have given me my heart’s desire and have not withheld the request of my lips. For you met me with rich blessings, you set a crown of fine gold upon my head. I asked life of you, you gave it to me, length of days forever and ever. My glory is great through your salvation; splendor and majesty you bestow on me. For you make me most blessed forever, you make me glad with the joy of your presence. For I trust in You Lord, and through your steadfast love, the steadfast love of the Most High, I shall not be moved.

“Has God really done for me what he did for King David,” you might ask? He has, and more. The New Testament mentions five crowns!

The Crown of Life  Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12, ESV)

The Imperishable Crown Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. (1 Corinthians 9:25, ESV)

The Crown of Righteousness  Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:8, ESV)

The Crown of Glory  And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (1 Peter 5:4, ESV) This crown appears to be for faithful pastors.

The Crown of Rejoicing Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved. (Philippians 4:1, ESV) This crown is those you lead to the Lord, those you disciple.

So don’t quit. Years ago, in college, I came across this poem and memorized most of it. It’s worth the read.

When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.
Life is strange with its twists and turns
As every one of us sometimes learns
And many a failure comes about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow—
You may succeed with another blow.
Success is failure turned inside out—
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell just how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit—
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

John Greenleaf Whittier