READING: Psalm 72
“May people ever pray for him and bless him all day long.”
Psalm 72:15
In Psalm 72, the people understood that God’s blessing on the king resulted in their blessing as well. Thus, they were challenged to pray for his length of life and blessings of prosperity. More particularly, those blessings weren’t separated from the king’s righteousness; in fact, he was dependent on God to grant him his righteousness and justice. As he followed God, then, “all nations will be blessed through him, and they will call him blessed” (Psa. 72:17). Just as this psalm reflects a prayer for the king, the people were to “ever pray for him and bless him all day long” (Psa. 72:15).
They were praying that God would empower the king to walk in righteousness, act with justice, serve the poor and oppressed, and help spread God’s glory to the nations. They prayed for the extension and duration of his kingdom, especially because he cared for his people: “precious is their blood in his sight” (Psa. 72:14). Indeed, through the line of David the king would come Jesus, the once and for all perfect king who would die for His people.
On this Lord’s day, I encourage you to pray for your pastor not because he is a king, but because he is leading the people of God in your church. Pray that God would use your pastor in a mighty way today. If you are a pastor, pray for God to increase your love for your people; then, pray He will use you to spread His glory to your neighbors and the nations. In all cases, though, keep your focus on God as the psalmist did: “Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds” (Psa. 72:18).
ACTION STEPS:
- Take a few moments to pray as noted above, even if you are reading this devotion after your congregation gathers.
- Pray for other pastors in your community.
PRAYER: “Father, thank You for leaders today. As the psalmist said, ‘May the whole earth be filled with Your glory' through them."
