Psalms 99, 100, 127 &128
Justice and Righteousness
Today our study entails four Psalms. Solomon is establishing his reign as king and these Psalms remind us of who really is King. Proverbs 21:1 says, “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes.” NASB
When I first read this Proverb I realized that I needed to pray for our government and its leaders. Do you pray for our government and leaders on a regular basis?
The Apostle Paul urges us to pray for our leaders in 1 Timothy 2: 1-3, “First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgiving, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.” NASB
God’s desire is for governments to establish justice and righteousness for all people. Governments need to establish the rule of law in a way that all people are treated fairly and equally. God’s desire is that the people of the nation, and the government are to relate to one another rightly, fairly, and with equity.
Christians have another responsibility. We are to be godly as well as righteous and just in our dealings with others. I picture righteousness and godliness as a cross. Righteousness is the horizontal bar. Righteousness is how we relate to one another. Godliness is the vertical bar. To be godly is how we are to relate to God. In this case we are to pray for our leaders that they will lead in justice and righteousness. In all cases we are to glorify and honor God in the sight of others as we are His ambassadors to the world.
In Daniel 2:20-21 we are told that wisdom and power belong to God. He is the one who establishes a leader or removes a leader. In fact, the book of Daniel makes it clear that God is in control especially as we read Chapters 2-4 which is our homework for today.
If you want to have an audience with the one who is really in control of the times and seasons of kingdoms and nations I, like Paul, urge you to pray. Pray for justice and righteousness. Pray that God is glorified in our nation and in our actions by doing His will and not a worldly agenda.
Do you have enough faith in God to pray?
Pray and trust!
Pastor Dave