Old Testament reading: Psalm 70-72
Seek God early in the morning (63:1) and early in life (71:5-6). This is the recipe to be a person after God’s own heart. Of interest in this section of text is the conclusion of Psalm 72, “The prayers of David the son of Jesse are ended.” David’s final “song of prayer” is for his son Solomon. While we often pray for our children’s safety and like matters, look at David’s prayer for his son. David prays that Solomon would rule in righteousness and give justice to the poor (vv 2-4). From here, the New King James changes David’s prayer as being about the Lord, but that doesn’t suit the context, so let’s consider the rest of the chapter as an intercession on Solomon’s behalf. He prays for Solomon and the nation to fear God forever (vv 5-7). He prays for his earthly dominion as king (vv 8-11), but this appears to be predicated again on his righteous treatment of the poor (vv 12-14). Finally, David prays that others will also pray on Solomon’s behalf (v 15). What a wonderful thought! David desires the increase of prayer on behalf of his son. I have never prayed such a prayer for my children, but I will from now on!
New Testament reading: John 12-13
“But he who is greatest among you, let him be your servant.” Nowhere is this command more typified than in today’s New Testament reading, specifically John 13. Jesus, knowing all things that would soon befall Him, including Judas’ betrayal (vv 18-26), Peter’s denial (vv 36-38), and desertion by the remaining eleven (John 16:32), girds himself with a towel and performs the most menial of tasks, washing the feet of the apostles. These chosen ones had repeatedly struggled among themselves as to whom would be the greatest (cf Luke 22:24-27). In this beautiful act, Jesus shows them that true greatness is achieved through serving others. In a world that seeks personal glorification and exaltation, we must guard against this same attitude from finding its way into our own hearts. We are no better than the apostles, and if such were a continual problem for them, it will be the same for us. To borrow from the words of President Kennedy in 1961, “Ask not what the kingdom of God can do for you, but what you can do for the kingdom of God.”
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