Daily Lesson for May 29, 2020

Today's Daily Lesson comes from 2 Chronicles chapter 1 verses 7 through 10:

7 That night God appeared to Solomon, and said to him, “Ask what I should give you.” 8 Solomon said to God, “You have shown great and steadfast love to my father David, and have made me succeed him as king. 9 O Lord God, let your promise to my father David now be fulfilled, for you have made me king over a people as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me now wisdom and knowledge to go out and come in before this people, for who can rule this great people of yours?”

And Psalms 72 verses 1 through 4:

1 Give the king your justice, O God,

    and your righteousness to a king’s son.

2 May he judge your people with righteousness,

    and your poor with justice.

3 May the mountains yield 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 needy,

    and crush the oppressor.

These are the prayers of Solomon as he acceded to the throne.  They were prayers for wisdom and for judgement, for righteousness and for justice. 

Solomon knew how fragile the nation was when he came to power.  He had seen its discord and division.  He had witnessed its fires and bloodshed. As he came to the throne he trembled, "Who can rule these peoples?" he asked. 

So, he turned himself in humility towards God. He asked for wisdom.  He prayed for understanding.  He pledged himself to be a leader who could hear and understand the cries of the people, work to build their prosperity, and assure that no abuse of power over them would be tolerated.

These are prayers every leader in every American city ought to be praying now.  They are the prayers every Mayor, and Governor, and the President ought all to be praying.  They should be on their knees praying to God for wisdom this morning on how to govern and lead this frustrated nation.

As I said, that will take humility; and that's a tall order.  But it's also the only way to earn the consent of the governed and assure the peace of the City.

NOTE: We're reading the whole Bible through this year.  Over the weekend we'll begin reading the so-called works of Solomon: Song of Solomon, and Proverbs 1 through 6.