Praying for the Promise

Read Psalms 120, 121, 140, 143, 144
 
Psalm 144:12-14 May our sons flourish in their youth like well-nurtured plants. May our daughters be like graceful pillars, carved to beautify a palace. May our barns be filled with crops of every kind. May the flocks in our fields multiply by the thousands, even tens of thousands, 14 and may our oxen be loaded down with produce. May there be no enemy breaking through our walls, no going into captivity, no cries of alarm in our town squares.  
 
AS Moses’ bid farewell to Israel, he said, “The Lord will give you prosperity in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you, blessing you with many children, numerous livestock, and abundant crops.” (Deuteronomy 28:11) Growing families, bountiful crops and numerous livestock was God’s promise to Israel if they would faithfully live under the LORD’s authority. Now David was near the end of his life, and he prayed for Israel to become the land the LORD had promised.
   God’s foundation for his people was simple: have strong families, work hard and enjoy the benefits of the bounty that will come in a faithful life. This is very much as God instructed Adam and Eve: Genesis 1:22 Then God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply. Let the fish fill the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.” God gave to his ambassadors on earth – first Adam and Eve, then Israel – the task to represent his creative authority on earth. Through a man and a woman, new children would be born. Through daily, good work, crops would grow. With good care, livestock would be plentiful. This is God’s order for his world. Families working in unity for the common good is essential to a strong nation. This all would be possible if God’s people obeyed his commands, summarized in Luke 10:27 “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. And love your neighbor as yourself.”  
   We have seen how Israel did not love God. The LORD held back his promise in the years of the Judges and the wars during Saul’s and David’s lifetimes. Look back through Judges and see how families fought and destroyed each other. The families of the priests also were filled with shame and guilt. And even David’s family was terribly broken.
   The core of Israel’s division began with a breakdown in the unity of Israel as God’s family. The 12 tribes under God became as 12 nations not under God. Horrible wars and generational conflicts scarred Israel’s heart.
   That’s why David earnestly encourages Israel with these words. As you look to David’s preparations for Solomon’s reign, you can see a father who knows the pain of losing his sons. He wants the killing to stop, so Solomon (meaning “peace”) and the nation can be one in purpose under God’s love.
   David’s desire can be our desire for our families, church and government – and for the world. Psalm 144 is a good prayer for us all.