Advent Devotions: Psalm 72

Psalm 72

Give the king your justice, O God,
    and your righteousness to the royal son!
2 May he judge your people with righteousness,
    and your poor with justice!
3 Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people,
    and the hills, in righteousness!
4 May he defend the cause of the poor of the people,
    give deliverance to the children of the needy,
    and crush the oppressor!

This is just a small portion of this royal psalm. It goes on for 20 verses about the righteousness and justice of God working through the kings of Israel. But I wanted to stop here because it demonstrates very clearly how God is the God who looks after the poor and downtrodden. The God of Israel is the God who lifts up the lowly and comes to rescue his beloved people from hunger, thirst, ostracism, tyranny, and disgrace. The psalmist seems to be indicating that if justice, care, and needs will not come from human sources (neighbors, those who make it their business to care for the poor in God's name) then the very mountains will bring what is needed to fulfill the people's needs. God will make it so if he has to use the created order, though inanimate, to do the job! 

What you see in this picture above is what I think of when I think of this Psalm. To me, this is what God's love looks like. Each one of these bags is filled with maize (corn) and will feed a family of 5 for one month in Malawi. Each bag costs about $20 US. What do you WASTE $20 on each week? Lottery tickets? Cafe Lattes? Baconators? If we do not do the work that we have been called to do - care for those who do not have the resources or options that we do - then the very mountains will provide for the people. God will provide for the poor by any means necessary! This Psalm reminds us who live in the "First World" that there has been a call placed upon our lives to do the work and will of God. This is but one delivery of maize that will happen this winter season by the grace of God. The people in Malawi have so very little. They are special to God, and to all who know them. 

Holy God, you call us to a life of service and generosity and yet even as we see images like the one above we are concerned about our own gift lists, decorations, parties, and shopping trips. Help us to see that you are the God of the poor and that you have called us to partner with you to bring equity and wholeness to those in great need. In Jesus' holy name. Amen.