At the point in which Psalm 67 is written, David is enjoying the zenith of his success. The pagan nations are repelled; the land is consolidated; Jerusalem is the magnificent capital city of God; and the wealth and reputation of the earthly monarch is still on the rise. In a spirit of worship and thanksgiving, David reminds himself and his people of Aaron’s benediction:
May God be gracious to us and bless us, and make his face to shine upon us … (Psalm 67:1)
David then expresses the responsibilities which are to logically follow:
… that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him! (Psalm 67:2-7)
David understands that his position, prominence, profitability, power, and personal gifts are given him for a reason. He is to lead and partner with God’s people as they promote the name of the Lord. Yahweh is Israel’s personal God, but he is also the Savior of the nations. All nations are to worship God and enjoy him forever. That which begins with Israel in the Middle East, it is to spread from pole to pole, to every nation, tribe and tongue. David and his people have been blessed so that the “nations might be glad.”
Friends, do we understand this to be our responsibility or reasonable service? God has blessed all of us with a variety of gifts:
- Has God given you athletic ability?
- Has God given you an unusual intelligence?
- Has God given you special ability in music and the arts?
- Has God given you a special eye for beauty and excellence?
- Has God given you beauty or brawn?
- Has God given you advanced technical skills?
- Has God given you a winsome personality and social charisma?
- Has God given you an ability to effectively communicate and teach?
- Has God given you great wealth or the ability to make great wealth?
- Has God given you a position of power and leadership in an institution?
- Has God given you a position of power and leadership in a corporation?
- Has God given you a position of power and leadership in a church?
- Has God given you a position of power and leadership in government?
- Has God given you a position of power and leadership on the internet?
- Has God given you a position of power and leadership in a certain community, class, circle, or sub-culture?
- Has God given you a position of power and leadership in a family?
- Has God given you an abundance of flexibility in time?
- Has God given you unusual wisdom and discernment?
Why has God done so?
First, God would have us worship him. He would have us give glory and honor to the giver of all good gifts.
Second, God would have us encourage others to worship him. God is passionate about calling and collecting more worshipers, and he is equally passionate about using you and me in this process.
Therefore, we must be grateful stewards of God’s blessings. As we find ourselves like King David — taken from the pasture to the palace — let us use our undeserved position, prominence, profitability, power, and personal gifts in local and world missions. God has been and is being so gracious to us. He is blessing us and causing his face to shine upon us. And what is the purpose of such divine beneficence? We are being blessed that we might become missional fanatics and promote the worship of God.
Let us “make his way known on the earth” today!
Unfathomable Grace 