Christmas Devotional: 11th December 2020
This Psalm brings to a close book two of the psalter and is one of two Psalms attributed to Solomon. It is a prayer for a king and for us points, ultimately, to the promised Davidic Messiah King, Jesus.
I recently watched Nativity (the one with Martin Freeman) with my housemates. If you’ve seen the film you’ll know that, as a result of a long-drawn out rivalry between him and another teacher, one teacher decides to write a chilling and dramatic school nativity based on King Herod rather than the traditional one where the main character is Jesus – “nobody ever does Herod!” he exclaims. Whilst I’m sure there’s a far better King whose arrival we want to focus our attention on at Christmas (sorry Gordon Shakespeare!), the contrast of this king and the King described in Psalm 72 did get me thinking.
Now, perhaps our own experiences of those in power are not quite as extreme as King Herod, but no doubt we do feel continually disappointed by political leaders. There is an expectation that those who rule or execute authority are people of integrity and good character, those who seek the well-being of others and not their own gain. Again and again we see our leaders fall way short and, amongst the chaos of this pandemic, the injustices around us seem only to have been exposed more fully than ever, exacerbated by inequalities and broken systems. We can no longer sit in ignorance and apathy and are stirred to long for something – someone – else.
The light that is promised throughout the Old Testament is spoken of here again in Psalm 72 as the Psalmist paints for us a picture of what this promised Messiah will be like. Unlike the rulers of the earth, this King will rule with justice and righteousness (v.2), putting wrong things right and revealing and embodying fully God’s heart to restore right relationships in his creation. This King will execute God’s justice; defending the poor, delivering the needy, redeeming their lives from oppression and violence (v.12-14).
This promised King is one who does not desperately cling to power but willingly surrenders it for the sake of the oppressed, the marginalised, the needy. This King leaves his throne, chooses to dwell with us, not turning a blind eye to the injustice around us but entering into it fully; a light promised amidst the darkness.
Earthly rulers will always disappoint. Our own efforts to achieve equality and rectify injustices will, ultimately, fall short. But our God is a god whose name endures forever and whose fame continues as long as the sun (v.17). He is a King who will have dominion from sea to sea (v.8) and before whom all kings will fall down (v.11). The light promised in Psalm 72 causes us to hope in this King who lived on this earth but is unlike any other earthly ruler. This is a chosen King, appointed by God; a King who rules with rectifying justice and perfect righteousness. This is a King who was promised, who was longed for, a King who came and who is coming back again.