Give your love of justice to the king, O God, and righteousness to the king’s son. … He will rescue the poor when they cry to him; he will help the oppressed, who have no one to defend them. He feels pity for the weak and the needy, and he will rescue them. He will redeem them from oppression and violence, for their lives are precious to him. [Psalm 72:1,12-14 (NLT)]

In Psalm 72, David, by now an old man, penned a prayer for Solomon who would soon become king. It may well have been David’s last psalm. In it he asked God to help his son to rule the kingdom justly and compassionately. “Rescue” and “redeem,” “help” and “pity” – these are pretty serious requirements, yet this is what a good king will do for his people. This is what Jesus, our king, did for us. Moreover, this is what we should do for others.

God cares for the poor, the oppressed, the weak and needy. He expects us to care for them, too. We need to consider how we can reach out to these people with God’s love. Like a good king, we can’t ignore their plight. The government we choose helps determine their fate. Do we remember the poor and oppressed, weak and needy when we vote? Do we remember them when we pass by the Salvation Army’s kettles at Christmas time? Do we remember them when we make our offerings at church? Do we remember their needs when we pray? Do we volunteer at a shelter or hospital or charity re-sale shop? Do we support missions with donations of supplies and money? Do we open our checkbooks freely for those who need our financial help? Do we open our hearts? Do we reach out our hands? Jesus was in the rescue and redeem business; are we?

In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years. [Isaiah 63:9 (NLT)]

Praise the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone does such wonderful things. Praise his glorious name forever! Let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen and amen! [Psalm 72:18-19 (NLT)]