Briefing: The shift in our culture is easier for an older person to see because they have experienced it. In law enforcement, we look up to and respect veterans because we realize their experience is valuable. Not so in regular, everyday life.

Dispatch (Assignment): Read Psalm 132.

On the Street: This is a psalm full of hope for the future. It speaks of teaching the statutes of God to their children. This psalm tells us about the blessings for a people who follow God and keep His precepts. The ending verses of this psalm tell us David will be clothed in strength and his enemies will be clothed in shame.

Comparing the times of the psalmist with our times reveals a great contrast. We are living in a time of violence and hate. Some days I watch the news and I wonder if people are not looking for something new to hate. They seem to live on the hate. 2 Peter 2:22 says, “Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud.” There is a section of our country that seems to like the drama and anger. There is actually an organized group of anarchists that go around the country looking for things to stir up, issues to enflame, people to pit against each other, riots to start, and fights to get into.

We are seeing a rise in radical hate groups. Race wars, economic wars, sexual identity wars, people who love animals more than other people, where does the hate end?

The fault is ours. We have failed to follow the simple teachings of the Bible. We are supposed to teach the Word of God to our children. We have a responsibility to make sure the next generation understands. Kids today do not know who Jesus is. Parents, who at least know the importance of teaching their kids about God, rely on a church or youth group to teach their kids. The parents themselves don’t take the time or effort to teach them.

The psalmist is asking God to bless and protect their leader because he was committed to God. We have to make sure our leaders are Bible believing Christians who God has called to lead, not just wealthy politicians.

The psalmist heard about David from his home state. David was vocal about his love for God and so must our leaders be. The current Texas Governor, as of this writing, recently made a statement about guns. He said, “The problem is not guns, it’s hearts without God.” It was not really a statement about guns but he used it as a platform to verbalize the importance of living a life dedicated to following the Word of God. He is a very strong Christian and constantly uses his platform to point to our need for a relationship with God. This is the boldness and courage we need from our leaders.

In verses 7-9 he says, “Let us go to his dwelling place, let us worship at His footstool, saying, “Arise, Lord, and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might. May your priests be clothed with your righteousness; may your faithful people sing for joy.” This is the example we, Christian, must set. In most cases I believe we are setting the right example but we are fighting against a media monster that is anti-God. This world is controlled by a media run by people who worship money and ratings.

In verse 12 there is a statement from God that says, “If your sons keep my covenant and the statutes I teach them, then their sons will sit on your throne for ever and ever.” God wants to bless us and our children but He also wants to ensure we will behave in the manner He has taught us.

We live in a time of celebrated rebellion. Instead of raising a generation to respect authority and follow the rules we are seeing the fruit of a generation that was encouraged to buck the system, think outside the box, question everything, don’t follow the rules or tradition and you will be successful. Because of this kind of thinking, we have seen an explosion in the advancement of technology but the downfall of morals, ethics, and values. This country has chosen prosperity in this life over salvation in the next life.

We see in verses 13-18 that God wants to be with us. He wants to make His dwelling place among us. In the psalmist times, God did this by having Solomon build the temple. We are blessed to be living in between the comings of Christ. We have been given the Holy Spirit who will dwell directly in us. This is the greatest time to be alive because of that gift. Yet we live in a world that wants less and less of Him. This society lives the exact opposite of understanding of John the Baptist when he said, “He must become greater; I must become less.” John 3:30.

In Mark 8:34-35, Jesus reveals this truth, “Then He called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.”

Investigational Resources: 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Officer Safety Principle: It all comes down to choice; do you chose Jesus Christ or do you choose the world?

from Psalms Through the Eyes of a Cop, Volume 2
©by Charles Gilliland. Used by permission.
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