Psalm 58-12.7.21

SCRIPTURE:

Psalms 58:1,2

"Do you really speak righteously, you mighty ones? Do you judge people fairly?

No, you practice injustice in your hearts; with your hands you weigh out violence in the land."

OBSERVATION:

David was angry at the unjust leaders in the land of Israel. He took his anger to the Lord, and cried out to the God of justice.

UNDERSTANDING:

God's promise of blessing to His covenant with Israel was if they humbled themselves, turned from their sins, and worshiped Him, then they would experience earthly prosperity in the promised land. "If you faithfully obey the Lord your God and are careful to follow all His commands I am giving you today, the Lord your God will put you far above all the nations of the earth. All these blessings will come and overtake you, because you obey the Lord your God." (Deuteronomy 28:1,2) "But if you do not obey the Lord your God by carefully following all His commands and statures I am giving you today, all these curses will come and overtake you," (verse 15).

It's important for us to differentiate what God has promised to Israel as a nation and what He has promised to the Church. Today we are under God's grace, and His promise to His children is that He will never leave us nor forsake us. No matter what we face in this life, He has promised that He will meet every need that we have. God has not promised us health and wealth, but He has promised us eternal spiritual blessings that apply only to the believers. So what is the Church's role regarding how we should be dealing with the unjust political leaders of our land? God has called us to pray fervently for all government officials so that we'll have a peaceful environment in which to worship God and communicate the gospel. "First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, Who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

LIFE APPLICATION:

I pray for the unjust leaders of our land; that God will draw them to Himself, and that they will turn from their sins, believe Jesus is Lord, and receive God's forgiveness and grace.

As David cried out to God regarding the unjust leadership in the land, I pray we will follow his example, as we pray to the God of justice, Who rewards the righteous, and Who judges the earth!

-Robin Orefice