Psalm 67: Let the Nations Be Glad

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When we think about missions and worldwide evangelism the normal instinct is to turn to the New Testament. After Jesus rose from the dead, as He was preparing for His return to the Father He commissioned His disciples to go and take the message of salvation to the world (Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). But while the command to go into all the world is highlighted in this part of the Bible, the plan of God to spread His fame and His glory worldwide was by no means a new agenda.

The plan of God to take His message of salvation to all the world actually begins in Genesis. In Genesis 12 God tells Abram that he and his line will be blessed and that through him, “all the families of the earth will be blessed.” Here we see that from the time God formed Israel He had a plan for all nations. And Paul makes it clear in Galatians 3:5-14 that all those who believe in Christ through faith (Jew and Gentile) are a fulfillment of the promise of God to Abram.

As the people of God it is important for us to know the emphasis that God has placed on reaching the nations and we should long to see that plan move forward. In Psalm 67 we read the prayer of a man who longed to see the praise and the glory of God spread worldwide and we can learn a lot about missions and worldwide evangelism from this passionate prayer.