Hobart Herd Devotional – Psalms 67
This is a Psalm of praise and worship that fulfills God’s purpose. It starts of with a call of for mercy and blessings with part of the priestly prayer of Numbers 6:24-26.
24 The LORD bless you, and keep you; 25 The LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; 26 The LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.'(NAS) These represent a priests prayer of for God’s grace and blessings to be on the lives of His people. We often use this prayer at the end of a wedding, or church service as a pray of benediction and blessing on the people attending.
The great part about these verses is that they bring out the purpose of God’s blessings and mercy on His people. The purpose is not just so that we can be blessed and enjoy the life of peace and abundance that God rains down on us; but so that the world as a whole may see that our God is a God Who deserves our praise and honor and that His blessings on us show that we have a relationship with Him and He loves and honors us. The real purpose is so that the world will recognize our God and fear and honor Him as well. God deserves all the glory, honor and blessings we can show Him. We were created to glorify Him with our praise, love and service.(Eph. 2:8-10) One day every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!
In verses 3 and 5 we find the repeated theme of this Psalm, “May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.”(NIV) That is the goal of our worship and praise, that the whole world would praise our God together. As the world sees God’s people in right relationship with Him, they recognize the “ways of God”, His “salvation”, and the blessings that come on those who truly worship and praise Him. The land produces an abundant crop and all creation points to God and His provision for His people.(vs. 4-6) We are reminded that through this purposeful praise and blessing, the world will learn to fear and honor our God. May the world see God’s mercy and blessings on our lives in such a way that they will honor and praise God, even if they don’t chose to worship Him.
Father, forgive me for taking advantage of the blessings that You have given me daily. I bask in the abundance of Your provision, peace and joy and never give You the proper praise and glory for what You have done for me. May You use me in such a way that the world might see the love, salvation, mercy, and grace You give me and turn to You in honor and fear. May the Light of Christ shine through my life today. In Jesus Name, Amen. Pastor Rob