As Jesus brings the Sermon on the Mount to a close, He addresses the issue of the Golden Rule and the Kingdom citizen in Matthew 7:12. He says, “In everything, therefore, Treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Hence, Jesus sets forth the Golden Rule as a conclusion, a commandment, and a commendation.

Asaph laments the calamity that has befallen his people. How can a calamity be part of God’s plan and program for His people? No doubt, many believers today struggle with that same question. How does a calamity fit the framework of God’s plans and programs? Asaph begins looking at his present miseries, then looks back to past mercies, and finally looks up with a prospective meditation.

What believers are to be and how they behave appears to be a tall order. Some may say that it is next to impossible to accomplish all that Jesus demands. Sensing this reaction from His disciples, Jesus provides the solution in Matthew 7:7-11, namely persistent prayer. Notably, Jesus will speak to the commands of persistent prayer and then examine the cornerstone of persistent prayer.

Psalm 74 is a song for calamity. The psalmist, Asaph, pens this psalm during a time of crisis. The temple has been destroyed and the Israelites have been dispersed. Asaph laments the calamity that has befallen his people. How can a calamity be part of God’s plan and program for His people? No doubt, many believers today struggle with that same question. How does a calamity fit the framework of God’s plans and programs? Asaph begins looking at his present miseries, then looks back to past mercies, and finally looks up with a prospective mediation.

The more believers interact with others, the more opportunities for judgment arise. Regardless, as Kingdom citizens, they must guard against discriminatory judgments motivated by unjust or impure standards. To that end, Jesus addresses the issue of judgment and the Kingdom citizens. In doing so, He sets forth three admonishments — judge righteously, judge without hypocrisy, and judge responses to the Gospel.

Psalm 73 is a song of doubts. In particular, Asaph doubts God’s goodness. He questions whether God truly rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked. The psalmist, Asaph, one of David’s chief musicians and a Levite, struggles with the fact that the wicked of his day were prospering. Circumstances seemed to tell a different story than the one found in Scripture. Hence, he wrestles with God’s goodness.

Contextually, in Matthew 6, Jesus is not dealing with fear or anxiety. Instead, He confronts the issue of worry over one’s wealth. Hence, Jesus excursus in Matthew 6:25-34, is regarding worry and the Kingdom citizen. Primarily, He sets forth that Kingdom citizens should not worry over their prosperity, property, and possessions because God provides for one’s basic necessities.

Psalm 73 is a song of doubts. In particular, Asaph doubts God’s goodness. He questions whether God truly rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked. The psalmist, Asaph, one of David’s chief musicians and a Levite, struggles with the fact that the wicked of his day were prospering. Circumstances seemed to tell a different story than the one found in Scripture. Hence, he wrestles with God’s goodness.

Jesus begins His discourse upon the secular by addressing the issue of wealth and the Kingdom citizen in Matthew 6:19-24. He presents three different alternatives — two treasures, two conditions, and two masters. The chosen treasure, condition, or master determines whether the Kingdom citizens handle their wealth properly or improperly.

Psalm 72 is a prayer for peace. It is eschatological in that it looks prophetically toward the end of history. According to the superscription, it was penned by Solomon. Hence, King Solomon describes the ideal King and His eternal reign over all creation. As modern believers read this psalm they should reflect on the other prophecies regarding King Jesus’ return to establish His Kingdom.