August 20, 2017: SOAP #2817: Jeremiah 48-49; Psalm 67; 1John 1

Scripture:  Psalm (NIV) 67:1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, Selah 2 that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.
3 May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.
4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth. Selah
5 May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.
6 Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us.
7 God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him.

Observation:  The Psalmist was requesting God’s blessings and favor so that the “all the peoples” would see what a wonderful God Israel served.  The “nations of the earth” served idols which could not bless their worshippers, they could not even hear their prayers!   If the people living in the nations in “all the ends of the earth” could see God’s blessing on Israel, they would “fear” and worship Israel’s God too.

Application:  As one of “all the peoples of the earth” living in one of the “nations of the earth” I see the hand of the One True Living God working in the past and present of Israel and I know He is working in me too!  Israel’s God is my God!  He blessed Israel; He blesses me!  He hears Israel’s prayers; He hears my prayers.  He is Israel’s holy God; He is my holy God.  I am blessed!

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, may your blessings on me be seen by all around me.  May they see the joy you have placed in my heart!  Let my life be a display for all to see the benefit of serving you.  May you be glorified in me!   Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!