Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1, 2 Samuel 7:8-16, Isaiah 11:1-5, Zechariah 9:9-10, Revelation 22:16
If we tap open our smart phones, we can click headlines and scroll unending content about wars, famine, and injustice. Reel after reel in the palm of our hands highlights the sorrow of people ruled by sin-ruled leaders. This is the way it is. Earthly rulers are human, and power corrupts even the most noble among us.
Even David, the man after God’s own heart, was not a perfect ruler. Even David, the young boy whom Samuel the prophet anointed (1Samuel 16:1), the worshipping shepherd, slaying lion and bear to protect his sheep (1Samuel 17:34–36). Even David, the budding warrior with faith larger than all the armies of Israel that slung a pebble right into the head of Goliath (1Samuel 17). Even David, the one the story of God seems to set up as the perfect earthly ruler. Even David would turn from righteousness, take a man’s wife and lay with her, and then kill the honorable husband to try to cover his sin (2Samuel 11).
Earthly rulers cannot rule with perfect hearts.
Even so, God blessed David. Not because He knew David would be perfect (God knew David would not) but because God had a perfect plan for David’s line—from the descendants of David, God would raise someone to rule on the throne of David forever (2Samuel 7:16).
This “shoot from the stump of Jesse” would come with wisdom, understanding, justice, might, righteousness, and faithfulness (Isaiah 11:1–5). This king would be unlike all others. This ruler would be the perfect redeemer of Israel—and of the world—to all who will believe (John 1:12–13).
But when Jesus came at first, His kingdom did not rule in the way we would expect. At His first advent, the King reigned as a humble, suffering servant (Isaiah 53). He led as a teacher, healer, and friend (Matthew 5:1, Luke 8:26–39, John 15:15). He ruled as our sacrifice for sin and our redeemer in His resurrection.
This is our King.
Unfortunately, we are still ruled by earthly powers until Jesus comes back. Difficult bosses, complicated medical insurance that keeps you from vital treatment, unjust laws.
Where in your life are you longing for righteous leadership?
I think the message of the first advent of Christ is vital for our lives today as we await His return to make all things new (Revelation 21:5). Our hearts long for justice and truth to reign more than agendas and power grabs. Real people suffer and we cry out, “How long, oh Lord?” And then we say with a release of breath, “Come, Lord Jesus, come. As it was in the first advent, may it be in our time. Come, and bring your light.”
Written by Seana Scott
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3 thoughts on "The Righteous King Will Come"
Amen! We do long for the day of that just and righteous leadership, thank you God that we have the hope that you will come again!
As flawed as we are, we still expect perfection in others..
Perfect partner. Perfect house. Perfect job. Perfect church. Perfect life.
Sadly this will never happen in this fallen and broken world we live in!
We may come close.. BUT, until Jesus’s return..
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Our stories can be exemplary. Our actions perfect. Our look immaculate. Our lives flawless… And yet behind closed doors, underneath the skin, deep in the heart and mind, we sin, we are flawed.. We DO NOT have perfect hearts.. that pumping organ does all its supposed to go keep us alive, but deep within our spiritual heart and mind, we are not healthy. We fall short!
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My children may think me the perfect and right mother for them, my colleagues may have thought me the most extraordinary person, my friends, a wonderful friend, but my heart and mind are not always pure.. On the outside and on paper, I may tick all the boxes.. BUT my heart, my mind..
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BUT GOD..
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He knew this! From Adam and Eve, He knew this! Yet still, in His faithful love, grace and mercy, He gave and continues to give us Jesus. His Word. His truth. Hope.
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We may suffer broken hearts, illness, sorrow, have difficult times, we may even have complicated lives, our cry..’Come, Lord Jesus come.’ is our weapon against the imperfect lives we live daily in our hearts and minds..
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As the words from the hymn flood my mind, Lord may I take the first step in calling out to you..
Come, LORD JESUS, come..
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Come, LORD JESUS, come.
Come take my hands, take them for your work..
Take them for your service, LORD,
Take them for your glory, LORD.
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Come, LORD JESUS, come.
Take my eyes LORD, may they shine with JOY.
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Take my lips, LORD, may they speak your truth.
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Take my feet LORD, may they walk your path.
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Take my heart LORD, fill it with your love.
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Take my life LORD, take it for your own..
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Come, LORD JESUS, come..
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I am not perfect..
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BUT GOD.
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Amen.
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Happy Tuesday dear hearts.. Covered in much much warming love and prayers for all..❤❤❤
Come, and bring your light!
Thank you, Lord for coming and thank you that you will come again!