Advent Devotion, 12/6/22
PSALM 72:1-7, 18-19
1 Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. 2 May he judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. 3 May the mountains bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. 4 May he defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; may he crush the oppressor. 5 May he endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. 6 May he be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. 7 In his days may the righteous flourish and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.
18 Praise be to the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does marvelous deeds. 19 Praise be to his glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and Amen.
Reading this passage feels like a recipe book. Step one: give your judgments to the King, step two: give your righteousness to the King’s son, step three: let God take care of the rest! This passage is asking us to give up our judgments of others and give up our own righteousness back to God, causing us to be completely focused on who God is within us rather than our own power. It’s much easier said than done to give up judgments of others and our own righteousness. If we are releasing judgment, we no longer hold people to specific standards, expecting them to meet our every need or judging who they are based on their societal status. It allows us to love others well. Releasing our righteousness automatically levels who we are: all needing Christ the Savior, no one better than the rest, no one worse than the rest. Once we release our judgments and righteousness, we can see the real reason Christ came.
Once we do that, the passage is clear about how the world flourishes with the Lord as King! There will be justice for the poor, peace to all, children who are saved, and God will reign forever, amen! All of what the Old Testament has been trying to accomplish through many kings and prophets and laws will be fulfilled. We get to ease the pressure we put on ourselves and others while resting in Christ’s sovereignty. Psalm 72 is a cause for celebration!
REFLECT
When you read through Psalm 72, which verse stands out to you as the most refreshing part of what Christ can do for the rest of time? What can you do to relinquish your judgments and righteousness back to God? How can you spend Advent turning your heart back to God in anticipation of Christ’s birth?
PRAY
Lord, bring us back. Help us to release our righteousness back to you. Help us release our judgments of others back to you. Remind us of your coming Son as we wait patiently for our world to change forever. We love you and honor you. Amen.
ADVENT PLAYLIST SONG
“Your Peace Will Make Us One,” Audrey Assad, “Peace”
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