The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. – Psalm 145:14

Today’s Scripture Reading (May 16, 2016): Psalm 145

Llywelyn ap Gruffudd (c. 1223 – 11 December 1282), reigned as the King of Gwynedd, an area that corresponds approximately to the northern portion of modern Wales, from 1246 until his death in 1282. Gwynedd is a mountainous and sparsely populated area that seemed to spring into existence in the vacuum created as Rome left the area and ceased to have influence over Britain early in the fifth century. Gwynedd never seemed to be able to exert great influence over the area, but its demise was probably due more to the emerging giant living next door called England. Today, Gwynedd is the last holdout of the Welsh language.

But in the days of Llywelyn, Gwynedd was in trouble. After the death of King Henry III in England, his son Edward I or Edward Longshanks (because he was tall) seemed to set his eyes on Wales. And the only person who seemed to stand between Edward and the conquest of Wales was Llywelyn ap Gruffudd. And then Llywelyn’s younger brother Dafydd ap Gruffudd decided to lead a revolt on English positions in Wales. Llywelyn responded to his brother’s actions by immediately sending a letter the Archbishop of Canterbury John Peckham, denying that he had anything to do with the planning of the revolt. But, having said that, he nonetheless felt that he was bound by family honor to support his brother. Early wins by Welsh sympathizers gave hope to the people of Gwynedd that the revolt might succeed. But that hope was not destined to last. Eventually, the tide turned and Edward gained the upper hand. The Archbishop attempted to mediate a peace between Edward I and Llywelyn, offering to give to Llywelyn a large estate in England if he would surrender to Edward. But Llywelyn refused. He argued that he could not abandon the people of Gwynedd who his family had protected since the days of Kamber the son of Brutus (Brutus was the mythical first king of England who had discovered Britain late in the 12^th century B.C.E.) Again, honor kept him from accepting personal gain and honor at the expense of the people who depended on him. Eventually, Llywelyn lost the war and his life, his head was severed from his body and was paraded around England. Ultimately it found its way to a gate at the Tower of London and there it remained for over 15 years.

In remembering the story of Llywelyn, the impression that is left with us is that he was a man dominated by honor and the attempt to do what was right. There was nothing wrong with his heart. He just did not have the power to accomplish the things that his heart seemed to demand. There was no one too small to deserve his attention. The weak he would defend and the fallen, Llywelyn would lift up.

This is exactly the image of God that David wants to leave with us – except that God actually has the power to follow through with the demands of his heart. He is the protection that we need. And if we fall, he promises that he will be the one who will lift us up.  

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalm 42