DATE POSTED: Thursday, 2023-02-02
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL
BY: Ed Algreen
SCRIPTURE FROM: Psalm 132:11-12; 15-16;
TRANSLATION: New Living Translation (NLT)
BIBLE TEXT: 11 The Lord swore an oath to David with a promise he will never take back: “I will place one of your descendants on your throne. 12 If your descendants obey the terms of my covenant and the laws that I teach them, then your royal line will continue forever and ever.” 15 I will bless this city and make it prosperous; I will satisfy its poor with food. 16 I will clothe its priests with godliness; its faithful servants will sing for joy.
APPLICATION: It is easiest for us to apply this to our president, or to our national leaders. Perhaps even to our pastor or local church leaders. But before we point fingers and try to fix everyone else, let’s see what God must be saying to us. Back in 2 Samuel 7:11-16 God made a promise to David about the successive reign of he and his descendants over Israel, if they stayed true to God. No doubt David thought of this promise very often, but in today’s Scripture the Israelites added this to one of their songs to make sure that it was always remembered. They had a vested interest in the ongoing leadership of their country. Does this seem too difficult to identify with, compared to all the fighting, backbiting, revenge, and insults that our citizens seem to have for our national leaders? The stage seems set by the way that we have drifted away from the teachings in God’s Word. God tells us to pray for our leaders because He has permitted their rule for specific reasons known only to Him. However, we seem to go overboard in trying to unseat our leaders, or at least tell them how to best do their job. What if God’s children, who are called by His name, would humble themselves and pray, seek His face, turn away from their sin and their wicked ways. Do you suppose that God would then forgive us our sins and heal our land? He promised this back in 2 Chronicles 7:14 because of circumstances at that time, and I have no doubt that such a move by God’s children today, would invite the move of His hand to heal our land also. Many of us today will turn off our television sets when we’ve heard too much of the political bickering and browbeating of our God-approved leaders. What’s your role dear friend? Are you a ‘knee-burner’ in prayer for our leaders, or are you one of the ‘browbeaters’? Perhaps our leaders are waiting for God’s children to turn away from their sin, humble themselves to Almighty God and stand ready to follow in full obedience to the teaching and commands of God in His Word. They may then feel support in their efforts to do the same when, and as, God deals in their hearts. The Holy Spirit really filled me to overflowing in the reminder that God will never revoke His promise! The old hymn said it all – ‘His promise is true, He will not forget You, for God is still on the throne’! What an awesome God we serve!!
BLESSING(S) NOTED: God promised David that he and/or his descendants will reign over Israel forever, and we are reminded in vs 11 that God will never withdraw that promise! That’s just the kind of God we serve!
PRAYER: Many promises were made throughout Your Word, yet we fill our hearts and minds with doubt and uncertainty. Please forgive us Lord for placing You at a level where we are generally found. We need You Lord – every hour of every day. Please shape our minds to take You at Your word knowing that Your promises are secure and true. When we do this, I believe we will be more apt to show the world how great our God is. Your faithfulness lasts throughout all generations, so we have nothing to doubt or fear. Our political leaders have an awesome responsibility in leading Your children each day. Please draw them close to You so that they would depend on You in every decision and for every purpose. Please embolden us to show the world Jesus, as our Lord and King. Your power and your majesty are good for all times, please keep our minds fixed on You, precious Lord, and may the unsaved see, and believe! AMEN!