Psalm 72 describes a perfect King and/or ruler as someone who:
- Judges people in the right way, and treats the poor fairly (verse 2)
- Does what is right (verse 3)
- Helps to defend the poor, rescues the children of the needy and crushes their opponents (verse 4)
- Rescues the poor and helps the oppressed (verse 12)
- Feels pity for, and rescues the weak and needy (verse 13)
- Saves the weak and needy from oppression and violence (verse 14)
Would this be a leader you’d want to follow? Do these traits describe someone for whom you would vote? I suspect they do, as this Psalm was King Solomon’s prayer asking God to help him to lead the nation with wisdom and justice. How different would things be if our world leaders displayed these qualities?
Honestly, it is somewhat discouraging that I don’t recall many (or any) recent candidates who’s platform was to do what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Even so, I am called by God to obey our elected officials even when my views don’t align with many of theirs.
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God (Romans 13:1).
Instead of just complaining that I must follow leaders that don’t exemplify these characteristics and/or don’t follow Jesus, this Psalm has helped remind me I have another responsibility. As Christfollowers, 1 Timothy instructs us to pray for elected officials.
Pray this way for kings and all others who are in authority, so that we can live in peace and quietness, in godliness and dignity (1 Timothy 2:2).
This is tough for me. My natural approach is to turn off the 24 hour news channels and completely disengage in the political spin. So, I can pray for our leaders simply out of obedience to 1 Timothy 2:2, or I can pray for our leaders expecting it will really make a difference. At first blush, this may seem a little naive. But I know –
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16).
God may change the hearts and/or actions of our world leaders as a result of my prayers, or he may simply change my heart. Either way is a win!