Mission Trip Prayer & Devotional PlanSample

“The Role of Government”

Time and again, justice comes down to a question of who is in power. Concerns for poverty, concerns for violence, concerns for prejudice and oppression — these and most other social issues are strongly linked to the kind of government that regulates society.

A corrupt government takes bribes, arbitrarily imprisons and punishes people, is incompetent in setting up regulations and overseeing the money supply. Such a government will cause ordinary people to suffer. There will be no flourishing of God’s beautiful creation where governments are bad.

Psalm 72 offers a much more hopeful view of government. It is a praise psalm for the king, the head of government. But this is a unique king, who should “endure as long as the sun” and “rule from sea to sea.” Other kings will bow before him, and all nations serve him, because of the quality of government that he brings.

What does this king do? He delivers the needy and afflicted. He takes pity on the weak. He rescues the needy from oppression and violence.

Clearly, this psalm does not describe any king who ever lived, except one: the Messiah-King, Jesus. He came for the needy and afflicted.

In the end, God will provide the government that we all need. Jesus will rule in justice. He will endure as long as the sun.

As you go on mission, remember how important good government is to establishing justice. And remember that God’s standards are very high — so high that no human government can measure up. We will never see perfect justice until the one just king is on the throne.

Prayer: Lord, we anticipate the great day when you will come again to bring justice to the earth. Help us to live with your values, caring for the needy and afflicted.