April 1, 2011

Psalm 72:1-11 (Click to see scripture)

Bible in One Year Passages:
Mark 1:1-8, 1 Corinthians 1:1-17, Joshua 1-2

Journal Entry

Scripture

Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to the royal son!
May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice! (Psalm 72:1-2)

Observation

Historically this psalm is attributed to one of the most successful and the wisest rulers in ancient times, King Solomon. As such, we will do well to pay close attention to what Solomon was desperately seeking from God as he attempted to rule over God's people. So, what was Solomon seeking from God? Actually, there are two things that Solomon was after before God and they are righteousness and justice. However, it was not just any righteousness or justice from a human vantage point which often gets distorted and skewed. Instead, what Solomon sought from God were God's righteousness and God's justice. While most of us are not in a position of ruling over others as Solomon once was, all of us are affected by a ruler or rulers of some sorts--a person or people in authority such as, president, law makers, and etc. As such, this psalm provides us with a clarity on how we can and ought to pray for our "rulers" of our day. We ought to pray for God's righteousness and justice to guide our "rulers" today.

Application

I will recommit to diligently praying for the rulers of my time-- the president, the governor, the leadership of our church, and any other "rulers" whom God brings to my mind seeking God's righteousness and justice to reign in their hearts and guide their decision making on this day forward.

Prayer

Abba Father, I love and adore you. I am so glad that I am your beloved and I can walk with you each day. As I was meditating on your word this morning, I couldn't help but notice my glaring negligence to uphold and pray for the "rulers" you have placed in my life. So, I humbly seek your Spirit's continued guidance and conviction upon my heart to faithfully carry the "burden" of diligently praying for the "rulers" in my life. May they rule your people and your creation with your righteousness and your justice rather than with their own! May my prayer on behalf of them never cease until I am home with you under your rule of perfect righteousness and justice! It is in Christ name I pray. Amen.

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