Good Protection

For Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Proverbs 20:28

Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king,
and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.

This is certainly a different perspective from the world's understanding. What preserves a king or anyone else in a position of power is power. Also needed are shrewdness, the willingness to eliminate the competition, a large ego to fuel the drive for fame and power. Even if a kinder view is taken, it would be expected that wisdom and knowledge would be the protecting forces. Love and faithfulness are good but can be so easily taken advantage of.

Consider what this proverb presents. However powerful the wicked king may be, what must he always be concerned with? Protecting himself. But then so do good kings, King David being a case in point. Most of his psalms include some reference to his enemies who were out to get him. On the other hand, it was his steadfast love and faithfulness to his people that helped provide his protection. Even when his own son turned against him, many remained on his side and provided the help needed to win his battle.

Furthermore, he did not unnecessarily create enemies. The wicked king's greatest enemies are those he betrayed. It is broken love, broken trust that stirs up wrath. It is love that remains true and faithfulness that is steady through all circumstances that stirs up devotion. When it comes to battle, better to have soldiers fighting out of devotion to their ruler than those disillusioned by their ruler.

It is steadfast love and faithfulness by which our Lord rules and thus has won our devotion. Though we have stumbled and failed, he remains true to his word. All the more then we desire to please him. You start today knowing that whatever befalls, your King will love you with a steadfast love; he will remain faithful to his promises. Does not such knowledge stir in you a zeal to stand by him?