Psalm 67 - May the nations be glad

Read: Psalm 67 vs 1-7

The Bible is a collection of 66 books, written by many different authors, put together across many centuries. Yet the more you read the Bible the more you realise that the Bible is one book. Themes, words, phrases, plot lines, and even characters appear and reappear from Genesis through to Revelation in the way you would expect from a book with one writer and one message.

Today we turn to Psalm 67. The opening words of Psalm 67 echo words of a blessing found in the book of Numbers:

‘May God be gracious to us and bless us and make His face shine on us.’ (Psalm 67:1)

‘The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you and be gracious to you.’ (Numbers 6:24-25)

When you read these two lines side by side you get the feel of how the Psalmist is taking hold of Aaron’s blessing (in Numbers 6) and praying that these words of blessing will come to be not just his experience but the experience of all of God’s people in His generation. 

In the Bible when God blesses His people He always blesses them for a purpose. From God’s call of Abraham (Genesis 12:1) to Jesus’ call to His disciples (Matthew 4:19) right through to the gathering of God’s elect in heaven itself (Revelation 14:6) God’s great purpose is to make His name known among all nations. 

Is it selfish to ask that God would bless us? Is it selfish to ask that God would make His face shine upon us as a congregation now and in days to come? No it’s not, so long as we keep digging deeper into the story of the Bible and realising that God does want to bless us, and He wants to do this for a purpose. We are part of a very big story that only ends when ‘all the people’s praise’ the name of Jesus. (Psalm 67:5 and Philippians 2:10-11) So it is good to pray: ‘May God bless us still, so that all the ends of the earth fear Him.’ (Psalm 67:3)

Prayer: Lord may you be gracious to us and bless us and make your face shine upon. May you use us in your great plan of salvation, gathering people into your kingdom from among all nations. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.