You created each nation, and they will all bow down to worship and honor you (Psalm 86:9, CEV).

Shinkansen (Bullet Train), Nagoya, Japan — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

This week’s I Love the Psalms theme is creation.

There’s an old saying that I heard as a child. It goes like this, “God created the world, but the Dutch created Holland.”

There is an element of human pride in that statement, but there’s also a measure of truth in those words. A good deal of the Netherlands is below sea level, but by building huge dikes and drainage systems the Dutch have been able to claim the land they live on from the sea.

Today’s reading from the Psalms states that God is the creator of every nation. Nations are God’s idea. He establishes them.

You created each nation, and they will all bow down to worship and honor you (Psalm 86:9, CEV).

Every nation takes pride in its accomplishments—the Dutch in their land reclamation, the Japanese in their ultra fast rail system, America in its military prowess. But there is a time coming when they will all bow down to worship and honor the LORD. That is a day we should all be looking forward to with expectant joy. What a privilege we have to worship Him now in advance of that great day!

Response: LORD God, my first allegiance is not to my country. My first allegiance is to you, my Creator—the Creator of nations. I want to worship and honor you today. Amen.

Your Turn: Are you proud of your country? Does that pride come ahead of your allegiance to the Lord?