Devotional

“Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor. May he endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. May he be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. In his days may the righteous flourish and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.” Psalm 72:1-7

A prayer from king David to his son Solomon, hopeful that he will rule with God’s righteousness. King Solomon is known for asking God for wisdom above any other gift God offered, and he was granted wisdom. However, wisdom in the hands of man may have gone to his head, as Solomon eventually broke all that was expected of a king described in the book of Deuteronomy. Had he stuck to ruling Israel with God’s righteousness, perhaps things may have turned out different. From there, the kingdom of Israel split into two, the northern kingdom of Israel, and the southern kingdom of Judah which kept the lineage of king David.

We are but one of many generations that have suffered as a nation through poor leadership. Yet God promises that He would save His people. We only need but keep our faith, even to the point of death. That is what Jesus has done for us, and after suffering, He ascended into Glory. His blessings will be greater than our sufferings. What God has prepared for us will be unimaginable. We must continue to rely on the LORD, to seek His kingdom and His righteousness. Regardless of our nation’s leadership, we are God’s children. We will live righteous lives and we will worship Him into eternity.

Prayer

Most High God, you are ruler above all rulers. All authority and power belong to you. You give and you take away according to your plans. Remind us of this truth when we despair, when things don’t go our way. Remind us that you are in control of all things. We are grateful that you are a God who is not deaf to our cries, that you hear and that your heart is moved by our petitions. And so we continue to pray in our limited knowledge, knowing that at the end of the day, your will prevails, and that your kingdom is the only kingdom that will endure to the end. It is your kingdom for which we truly long and to which all others pale in comparison.

Scripture Memorization

1 Timothy 2:1-4 “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

Photo Credit: Bill Zielinski @zphotobc

Music Credit: So Will I (100 Billion X) by Benjamin William Hastings

Devotional Written by: Sambi Katano

Prayer: Pastor Deborah Downs