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READ Psalm 67
The nation of Israel is small, but it has a robust economy. Though only the size of New Jersey, Israel EXPORTS $80 billion in products every year (including diamonds, oil, and technology).
This should not surprise us. From the very start of this nation - going all the way back to Genesis - God ALWAYS intended that Israel would not only be a receiver, but a giver.“ I will bless you,” God said to Abraham, and “in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3)
God has blessed Israel, but in what sense does God desire Israel to be a blessing to others? Is God’s plan for Israel’s primary export to be diamonds or oil? Before we answer that, let me pause for a moment, and redirect the conversation.
What are YOU exporting? God’s desire is not for you to be like a ditch of stagnant water - a place where His blessing goes but does not leave. God’s desire is for our lives to be channels through which others are blessed. So, what are you exporting? Your own hobbies or ego? Is there anything about you that is worth exporting to every nation on earth?
Back to Israel - God’s desire from the very start has always been for Israel to spread the knowledge of God to the ends of the earth. God blessed them so they they may be a blessing and that the people of the surrounding nations might come to know God through observing their lives. Their God-given, primary job in the Old Testament was to EXPORT the glory of God to the world. Indeed through the Jewish born Messiah (Jesus Christ), hope is provided to all who believe in Him.
By application, dear friends, the role of the church in the age that we are living in, is not to export “us” but to export Jesus.Our particular interests and hobbies and personal accomplishments are not worth sharing with the peoples of the world … but Jesus IS WORTH EXPORTING. The missionary core of the church is that Jesus is worthy of the honor and praise of all people everywhere … which is why we are called to go to the ends of the earth with the Gospel message.
Psalm 67 calibrates our lives around the God who is worthy of the praise of all people.
Prayer: Lord, may others come to know You through our lives. Amen.
Scripture
About this Plan
In the middle of our Bibles sits a treasure chest of songs for worship, prayer, and reflection. This awesome playlist, in all of its raw yet reverent glory, celebrates God while simultaneously serving as a balm for our souls. In this 16 day reading plan we will walk (and sing) our way through 8 key Psalms, moving them from the center of our Bibles to the center of our hearts.
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We would like to thank Wildwood Community Church for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: https://www.wildwoodchurch.org
