Today’s Scripture: Psalms 67-72
Hear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. – Psalm 86:1
I spoke at a conference of missionaries in South America, some serving in places where literally every day people were being murdered by drug dealers. There were political tensions, besides all the problems that come with trying to serve people and communicate Christ in a foreign culture. I sensed this was a gathering of wounded warriors who needed a time of refreshment and encouragement.
The first night they sang the whole time, choosing songs of comfort, encouragement, love, and faith. None of the songs had to do with marching to victory and charging the enemy. These people were trying to survive another day, and they needed the comforting hand of God.
Psalm 67:1-2 has the same ring to it as the beginning of that missionary conference. Notice that the little word us appears three times in the first verse. “May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us.” Why? Is it simply that they want all the benefits of the blessing of God for themselves, with no thought to the needs and welfare of others? No, just the opposite. Verse 2 ends: “that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.” It’s like the winter snows in the high country of the Colorado Rockies. All winter long the snow piles up on the peaks. Then the warm spring sun melts the snow and it flows down to the valleys, watering the farmland and greening the pastures.
The prayer of verse 1 is motivated by the desire to see the whole world benefit from the blessing God brings His chosen people. But it has to begin with His people and must be true in our lives before we can pass it on to others.
Prayer
Lord, let me serve, but only with Your blessing. Amen.
To Ponder
People will be attracted to the true and living God when they see His hand at work in the lives of His people.
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