An Unlikely Crown

Psalm 103:2-5
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,Who forgives all your iniquity, who redeems your life from the pit,Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, Who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

As I was reading over these verses, the Lord brought me to focus on the particular words "who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy".

What does it mean to crown?
What does it mean to wear a crown?
Of what is a crown a symbol?
Why wear a crown?

This is our God... one who forgives all iniquity.
This is our God... one who redeems my life from the pit of eternal destruction and separation from my heart's greatest longing- Him.
This is our God... one who crowns us with steadfast love and mercy.

This is our God...
He wore a crown of affliction and thorns so we can wear a crown of steadfast love and mercy.

A crown sets apart, and is a sign of honor and power... yet He wore a crown of humiliation and we wear a crown of love and mercy???!!

This truth blew me away.

Thank you Lord for the crown we wear because of your amazing, sovereign love and sacrifice.