Welcome to One Single Story, Season 5. I'm Pastor Stephen Mizell, joined today by Pastor Jay Rivenbark and our guest Alyssa Bream. We're in Psalm 72:1-20 -- a royal psalm attributed to Solomon that paints a picture of the ideal king: one who rules with justice, defends the poor, and brings lasting peace.

But here is where it gets interesting. The language in this psalm stretches well beyond any earthly ruler. Verse 11 declares that all kings will bow before him and all nations will serve him. That is a hard claim to hang on Solomon. The hosts wrestle with that tension -- is this a psalm about a human king, or does it point forward to Christ? Most likely, it does both.

The conversation turns to what righteous leadership actually requires: sound judgment, compassion, care for the vulnerable, and a refusal to exploit power. As one host put it, righteousness is integrity expressed in action. It is not enough to say the right things. The question is what you are actually doing to bring justice to pass.

And justice, the group agrees, is bigger than punishment. It is protection. It is equity. It is making sure the people who have the least are not forgotten by the people who have the most. Spiritual leadership without justice, they conclude, does not stay neutral -- it becomes oppression.

Psalm 72 ends with a doxology, a burst of praise for the God whose name endures forever. Pray today for leaders who reflect God's heart -- and trust the King who already does.

Thanks for joining us on One Single Story. Find us at onesinglestory.com and visitopendoor.com. We will see you in the next episode.