A Prayer for Justice, A Prayer for Peace
This
morning, as I read my morning Bible reading, again I am reminded of God’s
perfect timing. Here in the St. Louis region we expect that a ruling will be
made known on the bench trial of a St. Louis City police officer, who allegedly
murdered a suspect after a chase and then planted evidence to give the shooting
legitimate justification. Since it is a bench trial, the judge will be the one
making the decision as to the guilt or innocence of the officer. If the officer
is found innocent, there are promises of protests and possible violence in the
streets.
Our
culture talks a lot about justice. The American justice system is a mess. The
reason? Because man is in charge of it, and according to scripture, all of
mankind is fallen and broken. Psalm 72 is a reminder of the coming day when
Jesus returns as King. The only true justice will come, when Jesus fulfills His
promise to be King and thus imposes His justice, the only true justice the
world will ever know. Psalm 72 is also a great prayer to begin each day with,
especially this one here in St. Louis.
Psalm
72:1-2
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!
Whatever
today’s verdict is we can trust that Jesus will soon bring true justice to the
earth.
Psalm
72:3-4
Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness! May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!
Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness! May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor!
The
poor have always suffered through the sad nature of injustice. Their hope is
only in Christ. God will deliver those who cry out to Him.
Psalm
72:5-7
May they fear you while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations! May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth! In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!
May they fear you while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations! May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass, like showers that water the earth! In his days may the righteous flourish, and peace abound, till the moon be no more!
As
Christians, we must pray every day that as a people, we will fear only God. To
those who fear God and obey Him, comes peace; a peace that transcends understanding.
Psalm
72:8-11
May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth! May desert tribes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust! May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts! May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!
May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth! May desert tribes bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust! May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands render him tribute; may the kings of Sheba and Seba bring gifts! May all kings fall down before him, all nations serve him!
We
need to pray for all those in positions of authority to bow down to God and to
lead their people according to God’s Holy Word. We need to pray for the judge
here in St. louis. We need to pray for Donald Trump in Washington. We need to
pray for Kim Jong-un. Our world is in trouble. Our peace is under threat.
Psalm
72:12-14
For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight.
For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight.
No
matter where you are or how poor you might be, God is your hope. Jesus is the
only real hope for this life and the next.
Psalm
72:15-17
Long may he live; may gold of Sheba be given to him! May prayer be made for him continually, and blessings invoked for him all the day! May there be abundance of grain in the land; on the tops of the mountains may it wave; may its fruit be like Lebanon; and may people blossom in the cities like the grass of the field! May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!
Long may he live; may gold of Sheba be given to him! May prayer be made for him continually, and blessings invoked for him all the day! May there be abundance of grain in the land; on the tops of the mountains may it wave; may its fruit be like Lebanon; and may people blossom in the cities like the grass of the field! May his name endure forever, his fame continue as long as the sun! May people be blessed in him, all nations call him blessed!
Pray
for Jesus to guide the hands of all leaders. In Him the nations will be
blessed.
Psalm
72:18-19
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things. Blessed be his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory! Amen and Amen!
Praise
the name of Jesus. Praise Almighty God. Our hope is in Him. He alone does
wondrous things. And here in St. Louis, as well as across the earth, we need
wondrous things. Amen.
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