Family Fortunes
Opening Prayer
Bow your head in prayer to acknowledge how honored you are to be in the presence of the great King Jesus.
Read PSALM 72:1-20
[1] Of Solomon. Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. [2] He will judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. [3] The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. [4] He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor. [5] He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. [6] He will be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. [7] In his days the righteous will flourish; prosperity will abound till the moon is no more. [8] He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. [9] The desert tribes will bow before him and his enemies will lick the dust. [10] The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts. [11] All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him. [12] For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no one to help. [13] He will take pity on the weak and the needy and save the needy from death. [14] He will rescue them from oppression and violence, for precious is their blood in his sight. [15] Long may he live! May gold from Sheba be given him. May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long. [16] Let grain abound throughout the land; on the tops of the hills may it sway. Let its fruit flourish like Lebanon; let it thrive like the grass of the field. [17] May his name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. All nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed. [18] Praise be to the LORD God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. [19] Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen. [20] This concludes the prayers of David son of Jesse. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What special actions are attributed to this king (12-14)?It is appropriate this last day of the year to look at Messianic kingship. This psalm may have been written by David (it is the last in a section of the Psalter that contains many of David’s songs). More likely, however, it was written by Solomon for his son or for himself. It clearly has Messianic overtones since the picture of the king and his kingdom are very close to the Messianic words of Isaiah (see 11:1-5; 60-62). This king will deliver the needy and afflicted; he will rescue them from oppression (12-14).
Jesus, the King, is far more like this king than Solomon was. This kingdom is vast (8-11) as Christ’s is universal, whereas Solomon’s land, although he extended its borders, was limited geographically. This king (12-14) is compassionate and kind (like Christ), unlike Solomon who burdened his subjects. Solomon was hugely wealthy but the riches of this king are far more diverse (15-17) with gold, fertile crops, even on hilltops, prosperous subjects and happiness, which is one way to interpret v. 17. Christ’s wealth did not lie in material riches, but neither does he lack them!
Apply
How have you seen Jesus at work exhibiting his kindness and compassion to you and others? Thank him for that.
Closing prayer
Lord Jesus, You are such a good and kind Lord. Continue Your gracious work in me in the new year ahead.
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