Sweet! (Psalm 19:9,10)

One of the good things about joining in with school worship on Friday mornings is the complimentary tea or coffee that is provided. A few different options are available and after letting the very kind volunteers know what we would like, they usually respond with the question, ‘Would you like sugar?’

I’ve been told that a good coffee doesn’t need sugar. However, some people don’t like the bitterness of tea or coffee, no matter how well it might be made, so a teaspoon or two of sugar helps with the flavour. It’s the same with lots of other food and drink. If they are too bitter or sour, adding something to sweeten them can take the edge of and make them more enjoyable.

Life can sometimes be bitter or sour as well. Things can happen to us or around us that can be challenging, sad or painful. They can make life less enjoyable and we can begin to look for something to make life sweeter again.

Psalm 19:10 says that God’s Word is ‘sweeter than honey, even honey dripping from the comb’ (NLT). When life gets bitter or sour for any reason, God speaks words of love, forgiveness, hope and peace to us through Jesus. When we hear the stories of the Bible, especially what Jesus did and taught, and the promises God makes to us for Jesus’ sake, they bring a sweetness to our lives so we can face every day with confidence, hope and joy.

The next time you’re having a tea or coffee, and either you add some sugar or someone asks you if you’d like sugar, remember that God’s Word is sweeter than honey. No matter how bitter or sour our lives might be, the good news of Jesus that it speaks to us can make our lives sweet.