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May the nations be glad and sing for joy (Psalm 67:4, NIV).
Psalm 67 is the “all nations” or “all peoples” psalm. Most of the verses in this psalm use one of these words.
God’s purposes include “all nations” or “all peoples.” God promised Abraham . . .
All peoples on earth will be blessed through you (Genesis 12:3).
And Isaiah prophecies that Israel will be a blessing to the nations . . .
I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6).
This “blessing to all peoples” promise flows through Israel to the church, as Jesus teaches through His prayer, that the Kingdom is a blessing to all the earth.
This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9-10).
The Kingdom of God blesses everyone.
May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us—so that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations (Psalm 67:1-2).
But are we, as citizens of His kingdom, focused on all peoples? In my community, as a leader and proponent of international missions, I hear this comment, “What about our city?”
There is an inward and outward principle of spiritual maturity.
Focusing on ourselves and what’s close to us means less for everyone. But focusing on others and forgetting self-interest releases abundant blessings for all.
The land yields its harvest; God, our God, blesses us. May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth will fear him (Psalm 67:6).
Psalm 67 reveals that the full blessing for all peoples comes with the revealing of King Jesus in the end times.
May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples with equity and guide the nations of the earth (Psalm 67:4).
But until Jesus returns, becoming a blessing to others is the message of Psalm 67 and the entire Bible.
Jesus said, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).
Are we a blessing to the nations? Will we go, pray, and support missions? Let’s listen closely to the Spirit in our prayers this week. With God’s calling to bless the nations, certainly, He will give us an assignment.
What is it, God? Here I am, send me.