Good Morning Friends,
Psalm 72 is a prayer of David for his son
Solomon who was about to become king of Israel.
To read what David prayed for his son reveals a great deal about David’s
heart. Wealth, success, power, comfort --
these were not David’s prayers for Solomon.
David’s desire for Solomon was much greater than those temporary things
and achievements.
David longed for Solomon to be characterized
by the attributes of God -- justice and righteousness. “Endow the king with your justice, O God, the
royal son with your righteousness.” (Psalm 72:1)
David didn’t want to see Solomon’s rule be
for his own benefit, but rather that Solomon’s kingship would benefit the
afflicted and needy and bring justice to those who oppress. “He will defend the afflicted among the
people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor.” (Psalm
72:4)
David wanted to see the desperate come to his
son knowing that Solomon would be on their side and come to their aid. He wanted Solomon’s heart to be moved on
behalf of those who cried out to him.
“For he will deliver the needy who cry out, the afflicted who have no
one to help. He will take pity on the
weak and the needy and save the needy from death. He will rescue them from oppression and
violence, for precious is their blood in his sight.” (Psalm 72:12-14)
And David didn’t just want the people of
Israel to benefit from Solomon’s reign.
David prayed that all of the nations of the world would benefit because
Solomon sat on the throne in Jerusalem.
“All nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him
blessed.” (Psalm 72:17)
And it was to God that David turned to pour
out his heart for Solomon. David knew
that anything worthwhile that Solomon would accomplish would not come because
of David’s influence on his son, or because of Solomon’s inherent goodness or
wisdom. Any good that Solomon would
accomplish would only come through God’s work in his life. “Praise be to the LORD God, the God of
Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds.
Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled
with his glory. Amen and Amen.” (Psalm
72:18-19)
I doubt that any of our children will sit on
thrones or rule kingdoms, but may the prayers of our hearts for our children be
marked by the same spirit that marked David’s prayers for Solomon. Pray not for the blessings you want to see
poured upon their lives, but for the blessings that God will pour on others
through them!
In this election year, David’s prayers for
Solomon are also good requests that we could make of God for those chosen to
lead our country!
His, by Grace,
Steve
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