The psalmist writes in Psalm 84 that it is a great thing it is to be in fellowship with God.  Even the birds find a place in the house of God where they are sheltered and protected.  It is a place of rejoicing and praise.

In out text for today we have a prayer in which the psalmist asks for God’s attention.  This prayer is that God would look with favor upon the king and show him mercy.  This is a fascinating thing and we need to see the great truth that it reveals.

One thing we need to understand is that the person who is in a position to lead us was placed there by God.  It is very unlikely that the psalmist had any say in who would be the king during the time this was written.  We don’t even know if he was happy with who was king when he wrote this.  None of that matters.  God appointed and anointed that person to lead and to protect the people.

We don’t always get to pick the one we are to follow.  We may get to vote for the President but the one we vote for may not win.  You probably don’t a get choice of who will be your supervisor or manager at work.  And it is likely that you will not be asked to vote about who will lead the ministry or church that you fellowship at.  God appoints them and anoints them for the task of leading and protecting you.  How well they do that is their choice and they will answer to God about that.

We must do more than just accept God’s choice of who will lead us – we must be proactive at helping them to be successful.  The psalmist is praying for his leader and we need to do the same thing.  We need to be praying for those God has placed in leadership of us.  That includes those ungodly leaders God has allowed to be in leadership.

What we pray is just as important as the fact that we pray.  The psalmist prays for favor and mercy.  He wants God to look with favor upon the king and to show him mercy.  The psalmist knew that if the king was being blessed that the people were likely to be blessed.  Praying for favor and mercy on the people who lead you will benefit you as you experience some of the blessings that God is pouring out on them.

As leaders appointed and anointed by God, we need the prayers of those God has appointed and anointed to follow us.  The very best way that we can see that happen is to model that behavior for them and be praying for those who have been appointed and anointed to lead us.  Jesus, teach us to pray for our leaders.

Read: Joshua 11:1-12:24; Luke 17:11-37; Psalm 84:1-12; Proverbs 13:5-6