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"Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!"

~ Psalm 67:3/5

 

In last week’s Reflection we saw how Psalm 66 spoke of God’s rule and worship spreading to all the nations of the earth.  Well, this psalm continues that theme.  Verse one of Psalm 67 recalls part of the Aaronic blessing that God gave to the priests for Israel.  The full blessing (benediction) as found in Numbers 6:24-26 says,

“The LORD bless you and keep you;

the LORD make his face shine upon you;

the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

The psalmist here attaches a clarifying purpose clause in verse two.  The reason why God chose Israel as his own, the reason why God covenanted with them, the reason why Israel was to live distinctly though a system of sacrifice, festival and law, the reason why Israel was to seek the blessing and favor of God was so that his name would become known in all the earth and his saving power among all the nations.  This has been, is and always will be God’s plan and purpose for his Creation. 

The blessing of salvation did not begin with nor was it exclusive/esoteric to Israel.  In fact, not all “from Israel belong to Israel” (Romans 9:6-7); meaning that salvation is by faith alone through grace alone in Jesus Christ alone to the glory of God alone.  Salvation does not come by heredity, ethnicity, works or mental ascent, but by humble trust in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.

This is the gospel!  The good news that salvation has been accomplished, secured and offered to all peoples…Jew and Gentile…slave and free…men and women (Galatians 3:28)…every nation, tribe, people and language (Revelation 7:9).  If you know the saving power of God (v.2) in Jesus Christ, then you are part of God’s plan to make his name known in all the earth (v.2).  You are a disciple who is to be making other disciple-making disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).

May our hearts fear God (v.7), be glad (v.4), sing for joy (v.4) and give him praise (v.3,5), so that his name would be known in all the earth (v.2).  That day is coming; when our Lord returns and his Kingdom will have no end (Revelation 22:20)!