MONDAY - MELEK - King

Studying the Name

The Israelites believed that Yahweh was MELEK, or King - not just over Israel but over every nation on earth. They understood that the temple in Jerusalem was the earthly symbol of God’s heavenly throne, and they expected a coming Messiah who would one day save his people from their enemies, establishing his rule over the whole world. The New Testament presents Jesus as the King of kings, whose perfect obedience ushered in the kingdom of heaven. For the last 2000 years, God‘s kingdom has continued to spread through every nation, tribe, people, and language, as men and women accept Christ's rule. When you pray to Yahweh MELEK, you are praying to the God who watches over the whole earth and who will one day come in glory to usher in an eternal kingdom of peace and righteousness.

Key Scripture

Psalm 72:1-3

"Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. He will judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness."

Understanding the Name

Psalm 72:1-8, 11-15.

Compared to the surrounding nations, the Israelites were relatively late in adopting monarchy as a form of government. Instead, they thought of Yahweh as their king.

David, Israel‘s second king, represented the ideal of how a king should rule. But most of the kings of Israel and Judah fell far short of the ideal, leading people away from God by forging ill-fated alliances with foreign powers and by sanctioning the worship of false gods. After years of living under the rule of these less-than-perfect kings, God’s people longed for a Messiah - a descendent of David who would sit on Israel’s throne, subdue it’s enemies, and then rule over the entire earth. Given these expectations, it is hardly surprising that even Jesus’ disciples thought he would establish an earthly kingdom.

Questions

This Psalm may have been a coronation prayer for one of the Davidic kings. Though it doesn’t directly refer to God as the King, it does reflect the values of our heavenly King. Please describe these values.

How would the world be different if today’s rulers reflected the values expressed in this Psalm?

This Psalm can also be read as a messianic Psalm. How did Jesus fulfill this prayer?

How have you experienced Jesus’ rule in your own life? What difference has it made?

TUESDAY - Praying the Name.

Reflect On: Isaiah 11:1-9.

Praise God: For He is the true King.

Offer Thanks: For the ways God has already used you to build up His kingdom. 

Confess: Any tendency to live as though this world is all there is.

Ask God: To fill the earth with the knowledge of him.

WEDNESDAY - Praying the Name.

Reflect On: Psalm 97.

Praise God: For His reign over the entire world.

Offer Thanks: That justice is foundational to God’s kingdom.

Confess: Any sin you have been reluctant to admit.

Ask God: To extend His reign over you and through you.

THURSDAY - Praying the Name.

Reflect On: Psalm 47 and Matthew 13:24-30

Praise God: The King of the whole earth.

Offer Thanks: For God’s patience.

Confess: Any complacency you may have regarding the return of the King.

Ask God: To hasten the coming of His Son.

FRIDAY - Promises Associated with God’s Name.

The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and His name the only name (Zechariah 14:9).

The righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father (Matthew 13:43).

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or morning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Continued Prayer and Praise.

Pray for the increase of God’s government (Isaiah 9:6-7).

Worship the King of glory (Psalm 24).

Approach the throne of grace with confidence (Hebrews 4:16).

Envision the throne of God and of the Lamb (Revelation 22:1-5).