Psalm 67
Today’s Passage: Psalm 67
Today’s passage is a clarion call for world missions. It pleads for God’s grace and blessing flowing from people’s obedience and surrender. This call is for the whole world—to magnify God’s name in worship.
In one of the most popular books on world mission ever written, Let the Nations Be Glad, John Piper opens by saying, “Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever. Worship, therefore, is the fuel and goal of missions.
It's the goal of missions because in missions we simply aim to bring the nations into the white-hot enjoyment of God's glory. The goal of missions is the gladness of the peoples in the greatness of God.”
While many people regard evangelism as burdensome or intrusive, notice within the final line, “the gladness of people.” Is that how you would define your walk with the Lord? Is it a “white-hot enjoyment”? That’s the offer a plea we make with people in evangelism—to experience life, peace, enjoyment, and gladness unlike anything they’ve ever known or can find on their own.
As I read verse 1, the request that God would “make his face to shine upon us,” I’m reminder of my Hebrew professor discussing Psalm 6:4. Most translations use the word “turn,” “return,” or “turn back.” Imbedded in this idea is the fact that when we turn our face away from the Lord, he will allow us to turn away from him toward sin. We turn from him, and he turns from us. However, the moment we remember the Lord and turn back in repentance, our Heavenly Father is like the prodigal’s father from Luke 15—seeing our repentance from a long way off, closing the gap himself, and fully restoring us as sons and daughters. The request in 6:4 to “turn back” is a repentant plea to “make his face shine upon us.”
When the Lord is facing us, it’s implied that we’re facing him and walking in obedience. Perhaps our spiritual lives aren’t characterized by “white-hot enjoyment” (and we look more like the mission field than a missionary) because we’re not walking with the Lord in this way.
Then, as a result of our passionate pursuit of enjoying God’s presence, may we lead the world in praise. May it be that the Lord’s “way may be known on earth,” through us. In a world crying for “equity” and “inclusion,” may they see the justice and belonging they crave through God’s Church. Likewise, may the Church esteem and celebrate the diversity of many nations unified in Christ’s salvation—worshipping in every language.
Missions is temporary and time is running out. When Christ returns, the nations will bow before him. Then, by grace through faith, many will enter into eternity with their Savior. However, in justice, many will perish in the fires of Hell forever. On that day, the lost are lost eternally. On that day, may no one we love look at us and say, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Written By: Tyler Short
Today’s passage is a clarion call for world missions. It pleads for God’s grace and blessing flowing from people’s obedience and surrender. This call is for the whole world—to magnify God’s name in worship.
In one of the most popular books on world mission ever written, Let the Nations Be Glad, John Piper opens by saying, “Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever. Worship, therefore, is the fuel and goal of missions.
It's the goal of missions because in missions we simply aim to bring the nations into the white-hot enjoyment of God's glory. The goal of missions is the gladness of the peoples in the greatness of God.”
While many people regard evangelism as burdensome or intrusive, notice within the final line, “the gladness of people.” Is that how you would define your walk with the Lord? Is it a “white-hot enjoyment”? That’s the offer a plea we make with people in evangelism—to experience life, peace, enjoyment, and gladness unlike anything they’ve ever known or can find on their own.
As I read verse 1, the request that God would “make his face to shine upon us,” I’m reminder of my Hebrew professor discussing Psalm 6:4. Most translations use the word “turn,” “return,” or “turn back.” Imbedded in this idea is the fact that when we turn our face away from the Lord, he will allow us to turn away from him toward sin. We turn from him, and he turns from us. However, the moment we remember the Lord and turn back in repentance, our Heavenly Father is like the prodigal’s father from Luke 15—seeing our repentance from a long way off, closing the gap himself, and fully restoring us as sons and daughters. The request in 6:4 to “turn back” is a repentant plea to “make his face shine upon us.”
When the Lord is facing us, it’s implied that we’re facing him and walking in obedience. Perhaps our spiritual lives aren’t characterized by “white-hot enjoyment” (and we look more like the mission field than a missionary) because we’re not walking with the Lord in this way.
Then, as a result of our passionate pursuit of enjoying God’s presence, may we lead the world in praise. May it be that the Lord’s “way may be known on earth,” through us. In a world crying for “equity” and “inclusion,” may they see the justice and belonging they crave through God’s Church. Likewise, may the Church esteem and celebrate the diversity of many nations unified in Christ’s salvation—worshipping in every language.
Missions is temporary and time is running out. When Christ returns, the nations will bow before him. Then, by grace through faith, many will enter into eternity with their Savior. However, in justice, many will perish in the fires of Hell forever. On that day, the lost are lost eternally. On that day, may no one we love look at us and say, “Why didn’t you tell me?”
Written By: Tyler Short
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