It is fascinating how we elevate the creators of the wonders of the world, marvelling at their handiwork and flocking to see these awe-inspiring sites. Yet, we often overlook the fact that these wonders are only possible because God created the universe. He set the planets in their orbits, where they have been running systematically since their creation, each suspended in the sky without any support. God has never needed scaffolding to maintain and repair these celestial bodies.
Despite this unparalleled creative power, we often fail to appreciate and give thanks to God. We are quick to celebrate human achievements and eagerly share our successes, finding it hard to sleep without telling at least one person about them. However, we show reluctance in acknowledging and thanking God, who redeemed us by sacrificing His Son to save us from sin.
The Essential Need for God’s Grace
God be merciful unto us, and bless us,
And cause his face to shine upon us;
That thy way may be known upon earth,
Thy salvation among all nations. – Psalms 67:1-2 (ASV)
Gracefully, this Psalm emphasizes the importance of acknowledging God’s redemptive act, urging us to set aside our selfishness. We often seek God’s grace for personal needs like blessings, healing, and deliverance. As we welcome a new year, we ask God to shine His face upon us, yet seldom do we seek His grace to understand Him and His works.
The Psalmist, however, prays for the grace to comprehend God’s redemptive work, not only for himself but for all people, to recognize God’s love and the forgiveness of sins achieved two thousand years ago when Jesus bore our sins on the cross. For Christians, it can be challenging to accept that Jesus’s sacrifice was for the sins of the entire world, not just their own. The forgiveness of sins extends universally.
The Psalmist’s prayer, “Your ways may be known on the earth,” is particularly fitting. While many strive to promote Christianity as a religion, they often overlook Jesus’s proclamation, “I am the Way.” Jesus did not come to establish a religion to segregate believers from others but to show the path to reconciliation with the Father, allowing us to call Him Abba, Father, just as Jesus does. Because of Jesus’s reconciliation, God becomes the Father of all who believe and understand His unconditional and unfailing love. This opportunity is available to everyone, and those unaware of this truth also live by God’s grace. We have received a double portion of grace to recognize Him as our Savior. As John 1:16 states, “Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.”
The Psalmist lifts up this prayer for the understanding of this second grace by all people. Have we ever prayed for this grace to reach the unreached? Often, our outreach programs focus on promoting our mission, organisation and religion rather than emphasising Jesus as the Way.
May The Peoples Praise You
Let the peoples praise thee, O God;
Let all the peoples praise thee. – Psalms 67:3 (ASV)
Our efforts to encourage others to praise God are often limited to small, confined groups. During our regular Sunday services, meetings, and conventions, we hold praise and worship sessions to invite God’s presence. We engage people in jumping, raising their hands, and singing in tune, but what about those outside this small circle? Have we ever considered how they might worship the Living God? The Psalmist prays that everyone on earth should praise the one true God. How can this become a reality?
Jesus explained that through our good works, all people will praise our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). Unfortunately, we often attribute our good works to our own skill and dedication, thereby stealing the praise that belongs to God. Let our lives shine before everyone, so that they may see our good deeds and praise our God.
God Of All Nations
Oh let the nations be glad and sing for joy;
For thou wilt judge the peoples with equity,
And govern the nations upon earth. [Selah
Let the peoples praise thee, O God;
Let all the peoples praise thee. – Psalms 67:4-5 (ASV)
Even after Jesus died for all, many people still label certain nations as Christian and believe that others do not belong to God. This perspective is challenged by the Psalmist, who had a clear vision that God owns all nations and was not specific about any particular ones. He wrote that God governs the nations, highlighting the undeniable truth that the Living God controls everything, and nothing is beyond His authority. In the book of Revelation, we read how people from all nations and tribes worship the Lord (Revelation 7:9).
God sent His Son to make people righteous and to govern them with righteousness. When this Psalm was written, people were aware of the coming Messiah who would redeem His people, but the concept of Jesus returning as a Judge was beyond their imagination. Yet, the Psalmist confidently proclaimed God’s judgment, asserting that God will judge His people without partiality. The writer eagerly anticipated the second coming of Jesus, when all people would praise Him, and no one would need to hide from His awesome presence, as His righteous governing will make everyone righteous.
Our Own God
The earth hath yielded its increase:
God, even our own God, will bless us.
God will bless us;
And all the ends of the earth shall fear him. – Psalms 67:6-7 (ASV)
While the Psalmist experiences the rich harvest of the land, he feels closer to God than ever before, addressing Him as their own God. As people connect with God, they focus on their present blessings, but God uses this occasion to unveil the greater blessings of His Kingdom. The Psalmist refers to the local harvest, while God reveals the harvest of souls brought about by the obedience of His Son, Jesus.
Our relationship with God should grow day by day, and especially in this era of grace, we have the privilege of addressing God as our Father. This personal relationship with God will inspire all the people of the earth to fear Him.
Are we sharing our intimate relationship with God with others, or are we too focused on our trivial issues? Are we eager to speak highly of our Father and His story of redemption?
Father God, Creator of heaven and earth, help us to recognise You as our Father. Open the eyes of those who believe that only a few nations belong to You, and show them that all nations are Yours.
The Jordan Valley 
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