- Joined
- Oct 26, 2007
- Messages
- 11,642
Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king's son. Psalm 72:1 NLT
Psalm 72 contains the God-inspired words of a God-ordained king for his God-beloved son and successor. David, the second and greatest king of Israel, God’s chosen people, wanted his son Solomon to lead the nation in peace, prosperity, and justice. If you know much of Israel’s history, you’ll recall that Solomon—whom God called Jedidiah, or “beloved of the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:25)—started well but ultimately faltered.
Still, David’s prayer was a good one, the kind of prayer we should offer for our leaders today. Of course, many things have changed since Solomon’s time. But the apostle Paul taught all Christians to pray “for kings and all who are in authority” (1 Timothy 2.2). What better request could there be than to ask God to give our leaders a love of justice and righteousness?
Benjamin Franklin’s adage “Nothing is certain except death and taxes” might be amended with “and selfish, corrupt politicians.” But shouldn’t that truth spur us on to even greater prayer? Never forget that “the king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; he guides it wherever he pleases” (Proverbs 21:1).
Prayer: King Jesus, I look forward to the day that You rule the world in perfect righteousness. Until that time, please restrain the evil impulses of our leaders and guide them in wisdom.
Psalm 72 contains the God-inspired words of a God-ordained king for his God-beloved son and successor. David, the second and greatest king of Israel, God’s chosen people, wanted his son Solomon to lead the nation in peace, prosperity, and justice. If you know much of Israel’s history, you’ll recall that Solomon—whom God called Jedidiah, or “beloved of the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:25)—started well but ultimately faltered.
Still, David’s prayer was a good one, the kind of prayer we should offer for our leaders today. Of course, many things have changed since Solomon’s time. But the apostle Paul taught all Christians to pray “for kings and all who are in authority” (1 Timothy 2.2). What better request could there be than to ask God to give our leaders a love of justice and righteousness?
Benjamin Franklin’s adage “Nothing is certain except death and taxes” might be amended with “and selfish, corrupt politicians.” But shouldn’t that truth spur us on to even greater prayer? Never forget that “the king’s heart is like a stream of water directed by the Lord; he guides it wherever he pleases” (Proverbs 21:1).
Prayer: King Jesus, I look forward to the day that You rule the world in perfect righteousness. Until that time, please restrain the evil impulses of our leaders and guide them in wisdom.
