A Good King


Justice, Law, History
Justice, Vengence, Mercy
Live in the light of God (Isaiah 2:5) 

Psalm 72:1-8, 11-14 The Message

72 1-8 Give the gift of wise rule to the king, O God,
    the gift of just rule to the crown prince.
May he judge your people rightly,
    be honorable to your meek and lowly.
Let the mountains give exuberant witness;
    shape the hills with the contours of right living.
Please stand up for the poor,
    help the children of the needy,
    come down hard on the cruel tyrants.
Outlast the sun, outlive the moon—
    age after age after age.
Be rainfall on cut grass,
    earth-refreshing rain showers.
Let righteousness burst into blossom
    And peace abound until the moon fades to nothing.
Rule from sea to sea,
    from the River to the Rim.
 

9-14 Foes will fall on their knees before God,
    his enemies lick the dust.
Kings remote and legendary will pay homage,
    kings rich and resplendent will turn over their wealth.
All kings will fall down, and worship,
    and godless nations sign up to serve him,
Because he rescues the poor at the first sign of need,
    the destitute who have run out of luck.
He opens a place in his heart for the down-and-out,
    he restores the wretched of the earth.
He frees them from tyranny and torture—
    when they bleed, he bleeds;
    when they die, he dies.

 

For Reflection

The peace that results from violence and tyranny is no peace at all. The leader that rules with an iron fist and the one who knows how to run a tight ship but that knows nothing of compassion and justice will never foster lasting reigns.

Therefore, it is up to the wise ones. It is up to those who have the knowledge of God embedded into the very core of their being, the ones who know how to love, the ones who seek justice and the common good. Solomon was once like that.

So, who is the strong leader? The one that stands up for the poor helps the needy children and exposes tyrants.

The others whose wealth and power are wielded like broad swords, squelching free thought, laughing at forgiveness, will, in the end, succumb to their on treachery. When we suffer injustice, God suffers injustice. 

Amen

Pray

Pray and let the Holy Spirit guide your life. Pray and take comfort in saying, Father, I place my life in your hands, amen.

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