Tabor Baptist Church

Introduction

• Looking at Psalm 72 over the next 3 weeks
• Put your Trust in God
• Two verses from different Psalms
• We do not trust in governments to solve the solution of society
• We trust in God alone to bring righteousness and peace in the nation
• Example of the Apostle Paul
• Psalm 72
• A prayer of David (v22)
• A psalm of Solomon (v1)
• It would appear the Solomon is recording David's prayers [as a Psalm]
• Solomon seeks a righteous reign
• The Psalm speaks about David's Son [Jesus Christ]
• Cf v11, 15, 17
• Overview: (How we ought to pray)
• A Prayer for Righteousness (v1-4)
• A Prayer for Christ to reign (v5-14)
• A Prayer for His glory (v15-17)

A Prayer for Righteousness (v1-4)

• What are our prayers like?
  • Examples

A prayer for righteousness (v1-2)

• There is so much unrighteousness in the world
• Do we have a cry for righteousness in the land?
• Deut 17
• A prayer for God's perfect standards to be in the nation
• Remember Solomon's prayer
• He asked for wisdom
• Have you prayed for righteousness not just for the nation but for yourself?
• Explanation of righteousness in Jesus Christ
• Bow your knee to Jesus and believe that He lived and died for you
• Then you will live a righteous life

The effects of righteousness (v3-4)

Righteousness (v3)

• Peace is going to flow down into a nation by righteousness
• Picture language
• If we want people to live in peace and joy, this can only come through righteousness
• Maybe it is speaking of bandits in the mountains, who should also be saved?
• The picture builds up
• v16 - there will be blessing in unusual places
• The psalm speaks of better times to come
• Example of Godliness in our nation
• E.g. Westminster confession of faith
• Quote from George Whitfield
• Many Christians think that the world is getting worse but forget the teaching of Scripture
• We must live with hope and the expectation of better days
• Maybe you are struggling with other issues
• Do you believe that God can work even in these areas?
• Do you believe that God can bring peace into this nation

Justice (v4)

• God will act in a just manner
• We must not look to man but look to God
• Just to the poor and needy

Prayer for Christ to reign (v5-14)

• This cannot be a prayer just for Solomon
• It is a desire for Christ to Reign
• 18th Century - a revival in Wales
• "But a dawn of a brighter day"
• There is more to come
• Isaac Watts Hymn: Jesus does reign
• Quote from Spurgeon
• This was David's hope, it is the Bible's hope, it should be our hope
• The will and shall (v4, 5, 6, 7)
• Do we prayer with faith?
• Refreshing showers of blessing (v6)
• The gospel comes to weary souls
• Explanation
• The effects of the gospel (v7)
• Righteousness and peace
• A millennial blessing
• Quote from Samuel Rutherford
• We don't put our trust in governments
• Quote from Spurgeon
• The dominion of Christ's reign (v8)
• He shall rule from the  east to the west [all the land]
• Solomon's reign was not all encompassing but Jesus' reign is
• Ps 86:9
• Isa 2:2-4
• The dominion of Christ's reign in mankind (v9)
• All shall bow to Jesus - either voluntarily or they will be broken
• Those that reject Him will come under His severe punishment
• The adoration of God (v10-11)
• People will come from afar: from the far west and the deep south
• People will come to offer gifts to Christ
• A partial fulfillment in Solomon
• A complete fulfillment in Christ
• Isa 60:3-4, also v5,9
• The prophets saw a day when people would come from every nation to worship Jesus Christ
• All kings shall worship Christ (v11)
• All nations will worship Christ  (v11-14)

Prayer for His glory (v15-17)

• Christ lives by the power of an endless life
• Continual prayer shall be made to and for Jesus Christ
• We pray for His gospel to prosper
• We pray for His fame to spread
• We pray for the multitudes to bow before Him
• We pray for His name to be lifted up
• We pray for Him to rule in the hearts of men and women
• We pray for His glory
• Daily He shall be praised
• The world praises celebrities
• Will the world praise Jesus Christ?
• Is this the longing of your soul - to prise Jesus Christ?

Closing Remarks