Two words – ‘king’ and ‘good’. Those two small words would go a long way toward characterizing some lyrics that the McMillans, John Mark and Sarah, wrote around 2015 to frame how they addressed the “King of My Heart” in a personal way. And, could you guess where they had looked for those two words? Not much cryptology was necessary in this endeavor, for the ancient texts of the bible are replete with those two four-letter words; indeed, if they weren’t used to describe the Creator-God, then you could imagine that John Mark, Sarah, and the rest of us would have to do an about-face in the very fundamentals of our faith and ultimate outlook. Someday, we’ll all have face-to-face evidence that what the McMillans are saying in their song are not just some pie-in-the-sky hope-filled instincts. Faith will become sight, a once-in-a-lifetime event perhaps most closely compared to when Jesus told a blind man in Jericho that his faith had caused his sight to be given him (Mark 10:52; see the attached 17th Century masterpiece art depiction of this miracle by Eustache Le Sueur). This man most certainly regarded Jesus as his ‘King’ and ‘Good’.
The McMillans don’t share just exactly which biblical passages inspired their own poetry, but given the numerous ones that mention the Lord’s kingship or goodness, perhaps it was their overwhelming sense of His nature that set in motion their production. This king happens to be different from every other one that one might meet, as this songwriting couple’s verses suggest. He doesn’t just sit on a throne, offering ‘yea’ or ‘nay’ to what He observes His subjects doing. He’s serving, metaphorically, in many diverse roles: a ‘mountain’ refuge, a refreshing ‘fountain’, a protective ‘shadow’, and a ‘ransom’, not to mention a ‘song’ (v.1). And then, He’s the propelling ‘wind’ and also a steadfast ‘anchor’ (v.2), thus able to simultaneously play what appears to be two very opposite roles. Meanwhile, He might be your life’s ‘fire’ that stirs your passion, while also just an ‘echo’ that keeps one in touch with His influence (v.2). This God seems capable of responding to you and me in whatever way He sees we most need. Perhaps that message was the one that most resonated with John Mark and Sarah – this Lord-God is ever-present and wants you to come in whatever state you find yourself. What about good? It seems like a rather tame description for the Almighty, doesn’t it? Wouldn’t awesome, or brilliant, or some other superlative better fit this One? Could it be that John Mark or Sarah took note of Jesus’ encounter with an anonymous worshipper who fell at His feet, calling Him ‘Good teacher’? (Mark 10:17-18) Jesus said ‘only God is good’. This God needs no flowery praise, glowing phrases, nor adjective-stacked-upon-adjective to address Him. Did something in Peter’s words – that impetuous fellow, who too often was quick with his lips, who later in his life reminded believers that we all draw upon His goodness for all the example we need to live a life that’s godly (1 Peter 1:3) – speak to the McMillans in their poetic craftsmanship?
You met any good kings lately? Human history seems to make one frown upon reflection, because there are so many examples that make this seem like a contradiction in terms. Even the ‘good’ ones made their mistakes – David, or Hezekiah, for example, both of whom needed to pray for mercy. And, blessedly for them, this God upon whom they called was a better king, filled with more goodness than either of them. How many times does one need to say He’s good? John Mark and Sarah say it at least eight times in the space of a few minutes. I could underline, italicize, embolden, and try different fonts with that word ‘good’, or add something like extra-special, or extraordinarily, etc., etc. to it. Instead, John Mark and Sarah might advise that I just try singing the basic words along my day’s various paths. And, try getting others to say so with you – that also seems to be the McMillans’ desire.
See here for some information on the song: https://www.godtube.com/popular-hymns/king-of-my-heart/
See here for information on one of the authors: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Mark_McMillan
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