The King We Are All Waiting For Series

Introduction: The Search for a Good Leader

Good morning. We all have a deep, built-in longing for good leadership. We see it every election cycle, we feel it in our communities, and we desire it in our nation. Here in the Philippines, the cry for leaders who are truly just, wise, and compassionate is a constant, passionate prayer. We search for a leader who will defend the weak, establish peace, and bring prosperity. We are all looking for a king worth following.

Psalm 72 is the ultimate expression of that desire. It was originally a prayer from a father, King David, for his son, Solomon, as he took the throne. It’s a beautiful vision of what a perfect reign could look like. But as we read it, we quickly realize that the vision is too big, too perfect, too global, and too enduring for any mere human.

This psalm stretches far beyond Solomon and gives us a prophetic portrait of the one true King we're all waiting for: the Messiah, Jesus Christ. It shows us the three essential pillars of His perfect kingdom.

I. The Foundation of His Kingdom: Righteousness and Justice

The very first thing the prayer asks for isn't power, wealth, or military might. It asks for character. Verse 1: "Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son."

The entire kingdom is built on this unshakeable foundation of righteousness and justice. And who are the primary beneficiaries of this just rule? The psalm repeats it over and over: the poor, the needy, and the afflicted (vv. 2, 4, 12, 13). The greatness of this King is measured by how He treats the most vulnerable people in His society.

The heart of the King is revealed in verse 14: "He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in his sight."

This is a King who doesn't see the poor as a statistic, a political problem, or an inconvenience. He sees them as precious individuals whose lives have immense value. This is the heart of our King, Jesus. He is the ultimate defender of the weak and the hope of the oppressed. As citizens of His kingdom, we are called to reflect that same heart for justice and compassion right here in our own city.

II. The Fruit of His Kingdom: Peace and Prosperity

Where there is true righteousness, the inevitable fruit is true peace. The psalmist envisions a reign of incredible tranquility and well-being.

He prays that in the King's days, the righteous will flourish and there will be an "abundance of peace" (v. 7). This peace is described as being as refreshing and life-giving as "rain upon the mown grass" (v. 6). This isn't just the absence of war; it's the presence of what the Bible calls shalom—a deep, holistic wellness where everything is in its right relationship with God and with others.

This shalom peace leads to incredible prosperity and fruitfulness. The land becomes so fertile that even a small amount of seed on a mountaintop produces a forest of grain (v. 16).

The world seeks peace through power, treaties, or escapism, but those solutions are always temporary. This psalm teaches us that true, lasting peace is a fruit that grows only from the deep roots of righteousness. We find this shalom only in submission to King Jesus, and He calls us to be agents of His peace in our families, workplaces, and communities.

III. The Scope of His Kingdom: Global and Eternal

Here the vision explodes beyond the borders of ancient Israel into something breathtakingly global and eternal.

Global Dominion: The psalmist prays, "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea... all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him" (vv. 8, 11). King Solomon, for all his greatness, never achieved this. This is a clear prophecy of the universal reign of King Jesus, to whom every knee will one day bow.

Eternal Fame: His name will "endure for ever" (v. 17). This is an eternal kingdom with a King whose fame and glory will never fade.

Universal Blessing: The prayer culminates with a direct echo of God's promise to Abraham: "men shall be blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed" (v. 17). Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of that promise, the one through whom God's blessing flows to every corner of the earth.

Our ultimate hope is not in a temporary political party or a fallible national leader. Our hope is in a coming global King whose reign will be perfect and eternal.

Conclusion: Let the Whole Earth Be Filled with His Glory

The psalm ends with a magnificent burst of praise to God, who alone does wondrous things. We read this psalm and we long for the kingdom it describes, a kingdom founded on justice, resulting in peace, and one day covering the whole earth.