Tag Archives: king

May He Rule from Sea to Sea

19 Monday Oct 2020

Posted by in Psalm 72, Psalms

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Reading: Psalm 72
Of Solomon
(Verses 1-11)
Endow the king with your justice, O God,
the royal son with your righteousness.
May he judge your people in righteousness,
your afflicted ones with justice.
May the mountains bring prosperity to the people,
the hills the fruit of righteousness.
May he defend the afflicted among the people
and save the children of the needy;
may he crush the oppressor.
May he endure as long as the sun,
as long as the moon, through all generations.
May he be like rain falling on a mown field,
like showers watering the earth.
In his days may the righteous flourish
and prosperity abound till the moon is no more.
May he rule from sea to sea
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
May the desert tribes bow before him and his enemies lick the dust.
May the kings of Tarshish and of distant shores bring tribute to him.
May the kings of Sheba and Seba present him gifts.
May all kings bow down to him and all nations serve him (NIV).*

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The Parliament of Canada, Ottawa, ON — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
There is a verse from Psalm 72 carved in stone into Canada’s Parliament building. From the King James Version it reads, “He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth” (Psalm 72:8).

There are several ways of interpreting this verse. First, it should be noted that Psalm 72 is a prayer of Solomon. During his reign, Solomon brought the nation of Israel to the pinnacle of greatness, prosperity and dominance over its surrounding neighbors. But Solomon also sowed the seeds that brought about the nation’s decline after his death. His marriage to hundreds of foreign wives led directly to idolatry and a forsaking of the ways of the LORD. Personal wealth and aggrandizement were achieved by means of forced labor and high taxation. Revolt was festering beneath a surface of calm.

Another interpretation of this psalm takes a more messianic approach. The Messiah will reign. He will have dominion from sea to sea. Many believe this is how the Fathers of Confederation viewed this passage. They longed for the reign of Christ on the earth. Even so we pray, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. That should be the prayer of every Christian believer in whatever country we live.

Response: LORD Jesus, have dominion over me. I willingly submit to your rule. You are my King and my God. I willingly bow my knees before you. Reign over me, and in me to the end of time. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you by nature rebellious or do you find it easy to submit to God’s rule?

* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

Some good news: The first volume of 365 Days through the Psalms by award-winning author David Kitz will be published in November, 2020, by Elk Lake Publishing. Two additional volumes will follow in 2021 to complete the three volume set of devotions from the Psalms.

                                  

Your Throne

04 Tuesday Aug 2020

Posted by in Devotions, Psalm 45, Psalms

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Reading: Psalm 45
For the director of music. To the tune of “Lilies.” Of the Sons of Korah.
A maskil. A wedding song.
(Verses 1-9)
My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses for the king;
my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace,
since God has blessed you forever.
Gird your sword on your side, you mighty one;
clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.
In your majesty ride forth victoriously
in the cause of truth, humility and justice;
let your right hand achieve awesome deeds.
Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s enemies;
let the nations fall beneath your feet.
Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
You love righteousness and hate wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
by anointing you with the oil of joy.
All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia;
from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad.
Daughters of kings are among your honored women;
at your right hand is the royal bride in gold of Ophir (NIV).*

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The muddy waters of Green’s Creek — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
The introductory words of Psalm 45 describe it as a wedding song, but it is not merely depicting the wedding of a commoner. This is the wedding of a king. No, this is not just a king; He is the King—the King of kings and Lord of lords. There is none like Him in heaven or on earth.

The New Testament writer of the Book of Hebrews quotes directly from this psalm: But about the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy” (Hebrews 1:8-9).

Of course, Jesus is the Son that the writer of Hebrews is referring to. The throne of Christ will last for ever and ever; His kingdom reign will never end. But how did Jesus come to occupy this exalted position? Though conceived by the Holy Spirit, He was nevertheless fully human. He was subject to the same frailties and temptations that we face.

This psalm tells us that Jesus was elevated to the highest throne because He loved righteousness and hated wickedness. Can the same be said about you and me? Do we love righteousness? Do we hate what is evil? The same oil of joy is available to those who follow in the footsteps of our Lord.

Response: LORD God, help me to love what you love and hate what you hate. Anoint me with your joy as I seek to follow you in every aspect of my life. I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Your Turn: What do you love? What do you hate? Do some of these things need to change?

* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

Because of open heart surgery, publication of 365 Days through the Psalms by award-winning author David Kitz has been delayed until later this year or 2021. In due course, 365 Days through the Psalms will be published by Elk Lake Publishing. In the interim, please pray for my return to good health.

In the City of our God

10 Sunday May 2020

Posted by in Bible, Psalm 48, Psalms

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I will praise the LORD!

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Morning glories in the city of our God — photo by David Kitz

Great is the LORD, and most worthy of praise,
    in the city of our God, his holy mountain.

Beautiful in its loftiness,
    the joy of the whole earth,
like the heights of Zaphon is Mount Zion,
    the city of the Great King.
God is in her citadels;
    he has shown himself to be her fortress.

  (Psalm 48:1-3, NIV)*

* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

King of Glory Come In

07 Thursday May 2020

Posted by in Devotions, Psalm 24, Psalms

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Reading: Psalm 24
(Verses 7-10)
Lift up your heads, you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory (NIV).*

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Prairie sunset — photo courtesy of Timothy Kitz

Reflection
Are you ready? The King is coming.

All of Psalm 24 is a psalm of anticipation. David, the shepherd king, is anticipating the arrival of the LORD. The LORD is coming to His city—to His temple. Have you prepared your heart and your mind for the moment of His arrival? Are you ready to receive Him as your King? He often shows up at the moment we least expect Him.

Undoubtedly, David, the warrior King, was reflecting on his own triumphant entry into the city after the defeat of his enemies in battle. But here in this psalm, he projects the victorious arrival of a much greater monarch—the King of glory.

There is a prophetic expectancy to this psalm that forms a very natural bridge to the Palm Sunday triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. Jesus, the long anticipated King, came suddenly to His temple. Some were ready for Him; most were not. This should infuse our preparations for the King with an element of urgency. We can miss his appearing. Earlier in this psalm David asks, “Who may stand in his holy place?”

Purity of heart and action are essential. Blessing and vindication awaits those who seek His face. Again I ask, “Are you ready?” God can show up in your life today in an unexpected way. Will you recognize Him? Or like the busy people of Jerusalem will that moment pass you by? Will you be too caught up in buying and selling and the commerce of our times? Will you be too distracted by social media to recognize the medium of the Holy Spirit?

Lift up your head. Open your eyes. Take your attention off the mundane things of this world and focus the eyes of your heart on the Lord. Seek His face in your daily routine. The King of glory may be passing by today.

Response: Come, Lord Jesus, come. I open my heart and my mind to you. I want to see you at work in my daily circumstances. King of glory, help me to anticipate your appearing in my life today. Grant me a pure heart so I can recognize your coming. Amen.

Your Turn: Has the King of glory appeared in your life recently? What are you doing to prepare for Him?

* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

This post by award-winning author David Kitz will be published in book format later in 2020 by Elk Lake Publishing under the title 365 Days through the Psalms.

Amid Shouts of Joy

03 Sunday May 2020

Posted by in Bible, Psalm 47, Psalms

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I will praise the LORD!

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View from the Lemieux Island Bridge, Ottawa, ON — photo by David Kitz

God has ascended amid shouts of joy,
    the LORD amid the sounding of trumpets.
Sing praises to God, sing praises;
    sing praises to our King, sing praises.
For God is the King of all the earth;
    sing to him a psalm of praise.

  (Psalm 47:5-7, NIV)*

* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

Trust

18 Saturday Apr 2020

Posted by in Bible, Psalm 44, Psalms

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I will praise the LORD!

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Sunset over the Ottawa River — photo by David Kitz

You are my King and my God,
    who decrees victories for Jacob.
Through you we push back our enemies;
    through your name we trample our foes.
I put no trust in my bow,
    my sword does not bring me victory;
but you give us victory over our enemies,
    you put our adversaries to shame.
In God we make our boast all day long,
    and we will praise your name forever.

  (Psalm 44:4-8, NIV)*

* New International Version, Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

This King of Glory

22 Sunday Sep 2019

Posted by in Bible, Psalm 24, Psalms

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I will praise Him!

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The Ruins, Mackenzie King Estate, Gatineau Park, QC — photo by David Kitz

Lift up your heads, you gates;
    be lifted up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
    The LORD strong and mighty,
    the LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, you gates;
    lift them up, you ancient doors,
    that the King of glory may come in.
Who is he, this King of glory?
    The LORD Almighty—
    he is the King of glory.

  (Psalm 25:1-5, NIV)

Rejoicing in Your Strength

25 Sunday Aug 2019

Posted by in Bible, Psalm 21, Psalms

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I will praise Him!

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Petrie Island view of the Ottawa River — photo by David Kitz

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

The king rejoices in your strength, LORD.
    How great is his joy in the victories you give!

You have granted him his heart’s desire
    and have not withheld the request of his lips.
You came to greet him with rich blessings
    and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.
He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—
    length of days, for ever and ever.
Through the victories you gave, his glory is great;
    you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.
Surely you have granted him unending blessings
    and made him glad with the joy of your presence.
For the king trusts in the LORD;
    through the unfailing love of the Most High
    he will not be shaken.

(Psalm 21:1-7, NIV)

The Unfailing Love of the LORD

13 Tuesday Aug 2019

Posted by in Devotionals, Psalm 94, Psalms

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Reading: Psalm 94
(Verses 16-23)
Who will rise up for me against the wicked?
Who will take a stand for me against evildoers?
Unless the LORD had given me help,
I would soon have dwelt in the silence of death.
When I said, “My foot is slipping,”
your unfailing love, LORD, supported me.
When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought me joy.
Can a corrupt throne be allied with you—
a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?
The wicked band together against the righteous
and condemn the innocent to death.
But the LORD has become my fortress,
and my God the rock in whom I take refuge.
He will repay them for their sins
and destroy them for their wickedness;
the LORD our God will destroy them (NIV).

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Early morning calm, Petrie Island Park — photo by David Kitz

Reflection
Here is a question that is well worth asking at election time, or really at any time during the life of a nation: Can a corrupt throne be allied with you—a throne that brings on misery by its decrees?

Whatever your political persuasion, this is a question that has relevance. Corruption isn’t a problem that is unique to just one party. It transcends the political spectrum. Corruption and poorly designed laws or policies can bring misery to millions. According to the psalmist, it has happened in the past and as long as we live in a fallen world, it will continue into the future.

If we fix our eyes on the problems of this world, we can soon find ourselves in despair. Like the psalmist, in times of worry, we need to turn to the LORD. When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, LORD, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

That’s the good news of the gospel. In times of anxiety we have someone to turn to. His name is Jesus. He was familiar with suffering and adversity. In Psalm 55 we read, “Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken” (Psalm 55:22). The apostle Peter reiterates the same thought: Cast all your anxiety on him [God] because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7).

In times of trouble the unfailing love of the LORD will sustain you. In times of loss His consolation will bring you joy. That’s the promise of Psalm 94. It’s a promise that’s worth clinging to in good times and bad, and yes, even in election years.

Response: LORD God, I am so glad that first and foremost I live under your Kingdom rule. You are my King. I find unfailing love and consolation in knowing you. Guide the leaders of our land into paths of righteousness, wisdom and truth. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you facing adversity now? Are others supporting you in prayer?