Read Psalm 72:1-7. 1Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son! 2May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice! 3Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness! 4May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor! 5May they fear you while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations! 6May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth! 7In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!
This royal psalm, likely written by Solomon, is a prayer for the king to reign in justice and righteousness, peace and prosperity. The king must be God’s guardian of righteousness and defender of justice on Earth. The people are God’s people, even the poor are God’s poor (v2). Therefore, they must be defended from the oppressor.
Israel’s relationship with its kings was shoddy at best, crushing at worst. Even Solomon failed to bring peace and prosperity to anyone but himself. And if you’ve ever lived in a nation with corrupt governors and failed laws (as we all have to varying degrees), then you can only read Psalm 72 with hope for the return of Christ, for Jesus alone will bring the kingdom envisioned here.
In our waiting for Christ’s just and righteous kingdom, we are the royal seed of Abraham. David’s spiritual descendants. What does this mean? It means that in Christ we can bring justice to our own little corner of the world. We can bring flourishing to our Babylon.
To live is Christ is to long for the future rule and reign of Jesus while exemplifying it in our present striving for love and integrity in all things.
You: Do you long for Christ’s return? If not, why not?
You in Christ: In Christ there is a future kingdom awaiting us where all injustice will be no more. How does this future hope allow you to live for Christ and his glory today, rather than for your own?
Christ in you: If you were to live today like you are truly in Christ’s kingdom, what would need to change?
Prayer. Jesus, your kingdom come. Amen.
To Live is Christ 