21 Days of Prayer in Psalm 119 (Day #20)

Read Psalm 119:153-160

“Plead”

Today is an important day in the United States. Today we inaugurated our 45^th President. He is a man that makes many nervous for if he does what he says it will certainly shake up the status quo. Some support him, some fear him, some mock him, and some hate him. However, what the Bible calls for us to do is pray for him. I am reminded of the Lincoln-Douglas senatorial debates in 1858 when Abraham Lincoln said, “Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God's side, for God is always right.”

Politicians and leaders may promise many things and may endeavor to keep their promises but they usually fall short. However, God has no such shortcomings. So, I approach today, thankfully clinging to God’s words of truth that endure forever (v. 160) and find myself repeating verses 154-155,

Plead my cause and redeem me;
    give me life according to your promise!
Salvation is far from the wicked,
    for they do not seek your statutes.

Why these verses? Because first, it acknowledges our need for an advocate and a redeemer. We have all sinned and come up short of God’s perfect goodness. We all need Jesus Christ to come to plead our case—that though we were guilty he took that guilt upon himself and redeemed us! Second, it stands on the truthfulness of God’s word. The sad part is that salvation is far from the wicked—although they would not be sad—for they run away from the gospel message of God’s righteous love and sacrifice on our behalf. We, like the Lord himself, would want everyone to respond in faith to his offer of redemption, but some harden their hearts and will not hear of it. This is sobering because of the possibility that we ourselves could impose our plan upon that of the Lord. We could become so convinced in our own rightness that God must certainly be on our side instead of asking, like Lincoln, if we are on God’s side.

Here is a passage sure to be quoted many times today, but it is one that needs to be at the top of our list as we move forward under a new government.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.  (1 Timothy 2:1-6)

O Lord, we come today to pray and ask that our leaders, and especially our new president would sincerely seek to be on your side. May they begin to read your word—the Bible—as never before and may you grant them understanding and wisdom beyond their education and experience to lead by serving, to govern with integrity, to seek unity without wading through the cesspool of compromised convictions but instead taking the path of authentic listening and dialogue towards a common good. 

Lord, may you grant us to live in peace, the kind of peace that honors you not one that simply avoids dealing with the hard stuff. Let us not be like the ancient city of Babel that sought to make itself great in opposition to your command to fill the earth (Gen. 11), but let us like Abraham believe your promise and trust you to make our name great (Gen. 12:1-3)! Above all I ask that the hearts of many that are currently hard and cold towards you might be warmed and softened by the Holy Spirit to hear and respond to your invitation of redeeming love, and may we participate fully in your plan to bring this to pass. Amen.