Daily Reflection and Prayer – Mark D. Roberts
Daily Reflection and Prayer
by Mark D. Roberts
Laity Lodge Senior Director and Scholar-in-Residence
Defending Truth, Humility, and Justice
In your majesty, ride out to victory,
defending truth, humility, and justice.
Go forth to perform awe-inspiring deeds! [Psalm 45:4]
When I was a boy, I loved watching the Adventures of Superman on our black-and-white Motorola television set. How I longed to be just like that “strange visitor from another planet” who fought a “never-ending battle for truth, justice, and the American way.”
Superman, ironically enough, has much in common with the king who is praised in Psalm 45. This psalm is unusual in that it is addressed, not to God or to the people of Israel, but to the king on the occasion of his wedding (45:13-15). In verse 4, the psalmist urges the king to “ride out to victory, defending truth, humility, and justice.” That’s not exactly “truth, justice, and the American way,” but two out of three ain’t half bad.
When we pray for our leaders, as Scripture urges us to do (1 Tim. 2:2), we should ask the Lord to lead them in the ways of truth, humility, and justice. Yet Psalm 45:4 also provides a model for our behavior in the world. We too are to be people of truth, humility, and justice.
As people of truth, we will speak and live in a way that reflects God and his revelation. In a world of falsehood, in which truth itself is under attack, we will seek the truth in all things, stand for the truth in what we say and do.
As people of humility, we will never speak the truth in a way that is haughty, as if the truth belongs to us. Moreover, we will always see ourselves as subjects of the King of kings, and offer our lives to him and to others as servants. Thus we will imitate the humble servanthood of Jesus.
As people of justice, we will treat all people fairly and will work for a world that offers justice to all. We will be especially committed to doing justice for the poor and powerless. Where we have been given authority, in our work, our families, our churches, or our community, we will strive for just systems that reflect the character of God.
When you “ride out” today into the world, defend truth, humility, and justice as God’s viceroy, God’s servant.
QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: How can you express your commitment to truth today? How can you live with humility? How can you seek God’s justice in your part of the world?
PRAYER: O Lord, even as the king was to be a person of truth, humility, and justice, so am I. You have called me to speak and to live truthfully. I am to imitate the humility of Jesus and to seek your justice in all things. Help me, dear Lord, to be this kind of person in all that I do.
Even as I go through this day, may your Spirit bring to mind ways that I can be more truthful, more humble, and more just. To you be all the glory. Amen.
5 Comments »
Leave a comment
What readers are saying:
michellegindy on Let God Transform You David Ripps Holland on John “Top” Holland… Tiffany on Long Time, No Posts. Tim High on Long Time, No Posts. Ron on John “Top” Holland… -
Hoosier Army Mom's Weblog 
Uplifting!
We need to remember that God has called upon us to serve Him in this way.
Yes, that seems to be hardest lesson we learn in life. It is his Will, not ours and when he speaks we better be listening.
Most excellent. And most true. Follow His will, and you wil be guided to success. Deny or defy and you fail.
I totally agree with the post and the comments.
And I think God wants us working for Him, too. We do strive for Truth, Humility and Justice…and it’s HIS TRUTH we’re striving for.
What to do when our earthly leaders are NOT truthful and not humble and want justice only for some?
In the Old Testament God never twanged a magic twanger and caused enemies to perish, he sent MAN, MAN’S ARMIES to fight.
‘To God be the glory’……..Fight on.
Gosh, I just read this and thought “Z, what’s happening to you!?” I am SO angry even though I DEFINITELY put GOD FIRST and that helps SO SO SO MUCH. But, I’m angry that our American children will not be living in a truthful, humble, just American like we were…..and I want to help change that. We need to take back this country for Him. xxx
Am I making sense? geeeZ
Absolutely. Our Children and Grand Children deserve better than what this administration and the world for that matter, is handing over to them. If we set our sites on Him and His will and fight the good fight, he will crown us in Glory. 🙂