Psalm 72:12-14

In Jesus’ name. This is Pastor Michael Lilienthal of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. Together, let us meditate on and wrestle with God’s Word: Psalm 72:12-14: For he delivers the needy when he calls, the poor and him who has no helper. He has pity on the weak and the needy, and saves the lives of the needy. From oppression and violence he redeems their life, and precious is their blood in his sight. These verses refer to the king God has chosen to lead his people, who would do God’s work among them. This mighty ruler loves and cares for the plight of the people, and seeks to save and deliver them. In the book of Exodus, we are given the history of God’s people in Egypt, and when he sent Moses to deliver them because he “heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel—and God knew” (Ex. 2:24-25). He loved them so that he purchased them with blood in the Passover, and he brought them through the water in the Red Sea, destroying their oppressors through these things, too. In his missionary sermon, Jesus sent out his apostles to proclaim, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matt. 10:7). But he warned them that there was persecution and oppression to come in response to this message: “you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved” (Matt. 10:22). He explained, too, that he came not “to bring peace, but a sword” (Matt. 10:34), because his deliverance would cause divisions, and enemies would still pursue the people who received his redemption. But his promise remained: “And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matt. 10:38-39). While it seems hopeless, beyond saving, Jesus delivers. Amen. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, forevermore. Amen.