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Verse of the Month - Jan 2018
Blessed be His glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory! Amen and Amen! (Psalm 72:19 ESV)
We all live our lives for a name. The question that all of us must answer is whose name do we live for? Because of our broken sinful hearts, our propensity is to live for our own name, glory, and little kingdoms. The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Romans explains that we traded the glory of God for the glory created things (see Romans chapter 1). Paul goes on to say that we are self-seeking and do not obey the truth (see Rom 2:8). This is the state of humanity, and because of our sinful nature, we end up striving towards our own rule and reign while living for the glory of our own name.
In Psalm 72 we see the prayer of Solomon asking God to empower the royal dynasty of King David. Solomon in this psalm is proclaiming the promise that God had made to his father David. In this, God promised that He would establish a house through David’s offspring. This house would be built for God’s name to establish his everlasting kingdom (see 2 Sam 7:12-16). This psalm of Solomon reveals that God’s promised offspring would rule in justice and righteousness (vv. 1-4) throughout future generations (vv. 5-7) with dominion over the whole earth (vv. 8-11). This future King would rule with compassion towards the needy while gaining prosperity for His throne (vv. 12-17). When this promise is fulfilled and this kingdom is fully established, then all the peoples of the earth will acknowledge and give rightful honor to this King’s name.
Enter into the story Jesus who was born through David’s line to be the promised King. Yet in an unlikely way, this King didn’t come to live in a palace or to eat from a silver spoon, but humbly emptied Himself to be oppressed for the oppressed. Jesus served us in our deepest need so that the weak might be made strong. Through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, He was highly exalted (see Philippians 2:1-11) For all those who receive this King, and believe in His name, He gave the right to be the children of God (see John 1:12). King Jesus has now been given all authority in heaven and on earth. In that authority Jesus has given His followers a new mission to make disciples, baptizing them in His name (see Matthew 28:16-20). For you and me as believers living on mission, we too are able to join in the celebratory shout of Psalm 72 and cry out, “Blessed be His glorious name forever; may the whole earth be filled with His glory! Amen and Amen!”
Written by Pastor Rick Bartek