This morning is the day after the 2018 mid-term elections. It was a mixed result in that the Democrats took the House and Republicans retained the Senate but (likely) increased by 3 seats. The state elections went similarly. Some from both parties are devastated and others will no doubt declare the further death of our democracy.
The Psalm assigned for Morning Prayer today is Psalm 72. It is entirely fitting and even providential. It calls upon God to bless the King of Israel with the following qualities: righteousness, justice for the poor, and deliverance to the needy. Notice that while it speaks of other nations coming and bowing down to the King, it is not because of his military might be because “he delivers the needy when they call, the poor and those who have no helper.”
The United States is not a divinely established country. God has worked throughout the history of our country as he has worked through those who seek God’s will and to walk in the Way of Christ. If you wish for this to be a godly country then we need godly leadership and these are the qualities that God tells us our leaders must have: righteousness, justice, mercy, and deliverance to the poor and the needy.
And let us remember, as the psalm reminds us in closing, that “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous things.”
Psa. 72:0 Of Solomon.
1 Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to a king’s son.
2 May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice.
3 May the mountains yield prosperity for the people,
and the hills, in righteousness.
4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
give deliverance to the needy,
and crush the oppressor.
Psa. 72:12 For he delivers the needy when they call,
the poor and those who have no helper.
13 He has pity on the weak and the needy,
and saves the lives of the needy.
14 From oppression and violence he redeems their life;
and precious is their blood in his sight.