Devotional #123

Question 123. Which is the second petition?

Answer: “Thy kingdom come”; that is, rule us so by thy word and Spirit, that we may submit ourselves more and more to thee (a); preserve and increase thy church (b); destroy the works of the devil, and all violence which would exalt itself against thee; and also all wicked counsels devised against thy holy word (c); till the full perfection of thy kingdom take place (d), wherein thou shalt be all in all (e).

(a) Matthew 6:33: But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
Psalm 119:5: Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!
Psalm 143:10: Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

(b) Psalm 51:18: Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Psalm 122:6-9: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! “May they be secure who love you!  Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!” For my brothers and companions’ sake I will say, “Peace be within you!” For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your good.
(c) 1 John 3:8: Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.

Romans 16:20: The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

(d) Revelation 22:17: The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.
Revelation 22:20: He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
Romans 8:22-23: For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first-fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

(e) 1 Corinthians 15:28: When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.

For your personal reflection:
Do you live simply waiting for “pie in the sky when you die”?  Or, do you understand the kingdom of God to be a present reality?  How does the kingdom come?  How is it recognized?  The kingdom comes by the presence and power of the Spirit in connection with the proclamation of the Gospel.  Perhaps one of the greatest needs of the church today is to recover a kind of faith in her risen Lord that creates great expectations.  The kingdom of God will prevail over and against everyone and everything that set itself up against His cause.  He has given His church His Word and His Spirit.  In this petition Jesus teaches us to pray accordingly – and in so doing He teaches us to believe rightly.