Thoughts for the Day

Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to a king's son.....

May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River to the ends of the earth...

May the kings of Tarshish and of the isles
render him tribute,
may the kings of Sheba and Seba
bring gifts.
May all kings fall down before him,
all nations give him service.

For he delivers the needy when they call,
the poor and those who have no helper.
He has pity on the weak and the needy,
and saves the lives of the needy.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

The Hebrew scriptures record a promise to David that one of his offspring would have a kingdom that would last for ever. Solomon partially fulfilled this prophecy by building the temple and expanding Israel’s borders, yet the language in a number of places describes this as being an eternal throne that would never end, and a descendant whose reign would not end.

Passages such as Isaiah 9.6-7 and Jeremiah 23.5 anticipate a ruler who carries titles and responsibilities reaching beyond those of a worldly king. These prophets describe a figure with enduring justice and an eternal throne. The descriptions in Psalm 72 like "May he have dominion from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth" fit alongside these later prophet's of someone far greater. They speak of a Messiah who will be eternal, and one whom "all kings fall down before ... all nations give him service" for he cares for the needy, the weak and the poor.

Psalm 72 has different layers of meaning, describing the reign of Solomon, but it also points to the universal and eternal reign promised. which will ultimately be fulfilled by a coming Messiah. The next part of God's plan will be initiated by that baby born in Bethlehem and will one day be completed by him. Our job in the meantime is to continue faithfully in his footsteps.

Lord Jesus Christ,
Son of God
and King of kings,
we wait in expectation of the completion
of Your kingdom.
Sometimes we feel lost in a world
that wants to go its own way,
and fail to acknowledge You.
Call us back to the right path,
to play our part in spreading Your love
to those around us.
Amen.