June 9, 2009
blame it on the rain . . . yeah yeah
Psalm 72
Kent McKeaigg
Central Truth
God will show up, and when He does, He renews and restores everything.
Key Verse | Psalm 72:6
He will descend like rain on the mown grass,
like showers that drench the earth.
(Psalm 72:6)
Psalm 72
Give the King Your Justice
Of Solomon.
1
Give the king your justice, O God,
and your righteousness to the royal son!
2
May he judge your people with righteousness,
and your poor with justice!
3
Let the mountains bear 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 children of the needy,
and crush the oppressor!
5
May they fear you
1
72:5
Septuagint He shall endure
while the sun endures,
and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!
6
May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth!
7
In his days may the righteous flourish,
and peace abound, till the moon be no more!
8
May he have dominion from sea to sea,
and from the River
2
72:8
That is, the Euphrates
to the ends of the earth!
9
May desert tribes bow down before him,
and his enemies lick the dust!
10
May the kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands
render him tribute;
may the kings of Sheba and Seba
bring gifts!
11
May all kings fall down before him,
all nations serve him!
12
For he delivers the needy when he calls,
the poor and him who has 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.
15
Long may he live;
may gold of Sheba be given to him!
May prayer be made for him continually,
and blessings invoked for him all the day!
16
May there be abundance of grain in the land;
on the tops of the mountains may it wave;
may its fruit be like Lebanon;
and may people blossom in the cities
like the grass of the field!
17
May his name endure forever,
his fame continue as long as the sun!
May people be blessed in him,
all nations call him blessed!
18
Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
who alone does wondrous things.
19
Blessed be his glorious name forever;
may the whole earth be filled with his glory!
Amen and Amen!
20
The prayers of David, the son of Jesse, are ended.
Dive Deeper | Psalm 72
When the Psalms speak of enemies' pursuits, I picture David dressed in shades of tan and brown running through a dusty valley with his headdress flailing behind him in his speed. Thus, I have a hard time applying the psalm. Perhaps that's because there aren't any evil men crouching behind cars ready to shoot me with a bow and arrow (at least not that I know of).
But when thinking about my adversary Satan and what he uses in my life as enemies (John 10:10), I think of pride, anger, finding value in man's approval, distrust, and lately: infertility, doubt, and fear. God allows these things in my life to draw my total dependence on him, but I deny Him, trying MY hardest to conquer those thoughts and emotions by myself only to be defeated by them. That is why I think the infertility thing has been so difficult. I'm completely dependent on Him to work. He is the creator of life, so what does that mean when I consider what medical steps to take in hopes of having a child? I have to trust, believe, and walk forward confident that He knows what the next step/month will bring.
When I come to the end of my own efforts, turn to the Lord, and submit to His spirit within me, verse 6 is true. I feel renewed and brightened. That does not mean I'm pregnant or free from worry or pride. It means that in my current barrenness my eyes are on Him, knowing He sees the whole picture of my life.
Take note of the sinful thoughts and feelings you have; confess them to God, your community group, or close friends (James 5:16); and begin to experience freedom through walking by the Spirit in truth (Galatians 5:1). Assess your current situation--job loss, marriage trouble, sickness--and give it to the Lord. Know that He has all things under control, and He hasn't forgotten you (Psalm 40:1-3). I pray that Psalm 72:9b will be more and more true in your life and mine, and our "enemies will lick the dust." Lovely.
Discussion Questions
1. What are some of your enemies that Satan uses daily to defeat you?
2. What are some Bible verses you can or have memorized to help you walk in truth, choosing to live by the Spirit?
3. Know there are resources at Watermark to help you grow: Equipped Disciple, Journey Bible studies, and CR. Seek these out and begin to renew your mind (Romans 12:2).