Longing for the King’s Beautiful Rule
Wednesday, December 17
Longing for the King’s Beautiful Rule
The LORD says, “Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are one of the smallest towns in Judah, but out of you I will bring a ruler for Israel, whose family line goes back to ancient times.” Micah 5:2
When Gabriel announced Jesus’s birth, he declared that His kingdom would never end (Luke 1:33). With those words, heaven pulled back the curtain on the eternal reign of the promised King. And when Jesus came, the world caught a glimpse of the kingdom described so vividly in Psalm 72.
In Psalm 72, we see the kind of King God intended all along one who defends the poor, lifts up the needy, crushes oppression, and fills the earth with righteousness. We’ve already encountered the King who suffers for His people. Yet in our daily lives, we long to live more fully under His kingship. We ache for a world shaped by justice, mercy, compassion, and peace.
Today, I encourage you to read through Psalm 72 slowly. Make a list of the attributes of the King found there both the ones stated directly and the ones implied. Let this picture shape your prayers and deepen your longing for Christ’s beautiful rule. Then ask yourself:
Where do I need King Jesus’s rule in my own life?
Where does my family need His healing, His justice, His peace?
Where does our world most desperately need the reign of the true King?
Let your heart cry out for His kingdom to come fully, visibly, powerfully.
Prayer for today: Almighty Father, we bless Your holy name. Thank You that You are a God of perfect justice and endless mercy. We long for Your glory to fill the earth and for all people to reflect Your heart. Bring the reign of Jesus more fully into our lives, our families, our communities, and our world. Let Your kingdom come, and let Your will be done. Amen.