Keep Calm and Carry On

"Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!  Be their shepherd and carry them forever." Psalm 28:9

        Have you seen these signs or logos before? I feel like recently they have been flooding the internet. You see it or some creative version of it on t-shirts, coffee mugs, or posters in offices. I had no idea where it came from or why it has gained so much popularity lately. Well I had to research and discovered it originated from the British Government before World War II in 1939. Apparently, they hung posters of this saying around to help boost morale for their people. As to why it has become so popular again, I am not exactly sure. My best guess would be that even though we aren’t scared of an opposing military force dropping bombs on us, our society still needs a morale boost as we are aware of all the chaos happening in our country every day. It’s not our government promoting this saying, it is just everyday people who want to remind themselves and those around them that no matter how bad things may seem, life goes on. For most people who do not have the good news of the Gospel, this is their only hope that even in the midst of chaos, they just keep carrying on.
     David while writing Psalm 28 is also trying to boost morale. David is actually more along the lines of being at war as he flees for his life from King Saul and his military men. However, David gives a slight but very important twist to the Keep Calm and Carry On slogan. He is talking about calling out to God while the wicked and his enemies surround him earlier in this psalm. Then in the very last verse, David is speaking directly to the Lord, and extols Him to be the shepherd of Israel and carry them forever. As I read that line about the Lord carrying us as our shepherd was when I thought about it being the slight twist to the keep calm and carry on slogan. If us carrying on under our own power is supposed to boost our morale and make us feel better about situations we cannot control, how much more does the idea of being carried by the one who is in control of all things boost our calmness. David, as he is fleeing for his life, keeps himself calm not by reminding himself to carry on, but rather by reminding Himself that he has a shepherd who is carrying him.
     So the next time you find yourself in a stressful, fearful, or chaotic situation, instead of calming yourself with a t-shirt or coffee mug that says, “keep calm and carry on”, try calming yourself by praying to the Lord, “I’ll be calm as You carry me on”. And then you can be calm and trust that the Good Shepherd, who has laid down His life for His sheep, is carrying His people forever. Jesus has you in His hands now and always, and that is our comfort that life will go on. Life certainly will go, for the rest of eternity, because no amount of evil or chaos can overcome the Shepherd who has defeated all enemies with the sacrifice of His own life. The British and all those non-believers can keep calm and carry on, but you and I who know we belong to the Good Shepherd will keep calm and be carried on forever. Amen.