Unfathomable Grace

Why do you want more than what you have? Why do you pray for God’s increased abundance in your life? What will you actually do if the “One who makes men rich” showers additional blessings upon you? Perhaps the best question is, what are you already doing with that which you’ve already received?

Friends, listen’t to the psalmist’s plea. In addition, listen to his heart:

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, 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. 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)

The Psalmist wished and prayed for increased blessing from the Lord. He did so that he might see the number of God’s worshipers increase. It was his heart-desire that:

• God’s way might be known on the earth.
• God’s saving power might be known amongst all the nations.
• God’s numerous and varied people-groups would praise him.
• God’s nations would be glad and sing in joyful worship.
• God’s nations would relish in his just government.
• God’s nations would thrive as they follow his guidance.
• God’s healthy fear would be the norm at all ends of the earth.

Fellow ministers and elders, what are you doing with what you’ve got? Consider today, how has the Lord already blessed you? Has he given you a larger ministry platform in your community, and have you been using it well? Has he allowed you to lead a church that is growing in numbers and cultural influence? Have you stewarded your neighborhood well? Has he already surrounded you with a group of motivated leaders hungry to accomplish something under the power of Jesus? Are your pews filled with spiritually gifted men and women? Are you equipping them for the work of the ministry and sending them out? Is your church’s financial condition fairly stable? How are you spending the Lord’s money? Bottom line — have you the heart of the psalmist? Have you the heart of the Master?

Fellow ministers and elders, now ask yourself why are you praying for increased blessing from the Lord? Is it because you are motiveated to evangelize and build disciples? Is your church hungry to see an increase in the number of worshipers who call Jesus “Lord?” Is it your heart-cry to see souls saved and worshiping from pole to pole?

Individual believer, “What are you doing with what you’ve got?” Is your first barn filled, and are you working on filling another? What skills and talents has the Sovereign Lord sent your way? What sort of cultural power do you hold? What amount of relational capital do you have? Why do you have the health you do? Why has the Lord allowed you to retire and enjoy an abundance of flexible time? Friends, is your heart aligned with the psalmist? Is your heart aligned with the Master?

Oh friends, may we all fall on our knees today and request additional blessing. It is indeed good and wholesome that we pray that the Lord might shine his face upon us and be gracious. We are to supplicate for daily bread. It is legitimate for us to pray that God might extend our borders and influence.

And it is fantastic when the giver of daily bread graciously sends huge loaves our way. Quite often, God enjoys placing his riches in the hands of faithful worshipers. Let us enjoy the gracious provision of the Lord.

However, let us pray that God might make us even more hungry to use his assets to increase his fame. Let us use his treasure, talents, time, and energy, and let us work with him to make disciples, increase the number of worshipers, and see godly reform in our families, churches, communities, nation, and planet. Sure, let us pray for increased blessing for tomorrow that we might use it for his namesake. But before we do so, let us joyfully repent today and seek to be more responsible with the blessings he has already given us yesterday.