Tag Archives: gospel

Nations Bow Down

30 Thursday Jun 2016

Posted by in Psalms, Thursday's Thought

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , ,

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

Petrie Island 20160604 (2)

Petrie Island Park, Orleans, ON — photo by David Kitz

Reflection

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

Before he ascended into heaven Jesus gave his disciples this command:

“I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth! Go to the people of all nations and make them my disciples. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to do everything I have told you. I will be with you always, even until the end of the world” (Matthew 28:18-20, CEV).

Jesus promised he would be present and engaged with us as we spread the good news of his death and resurrection among the nations. In Psalm 86 we also have the promise that our mission will be successful.

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

In this dark world Jesus and the gospel message shine as a light—a light the world and the imps of hell cannot extinguish. As we face the future, we can have great confidence because each nation will bow down to worship and honor you.

Response: LORD God, help me to do my part to bring your gospel message to the nations. I bow before you knowing that all over the world others too will bow to worship you. Amen.

Your Turn: How are you fulfilling Christ’s final command?

Will all the ends of the earth remember and turn to the LORD?

30 Thursday Jan 2014

Posted by in Psalm 22, Psalms

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , ,

Reading:                                       Psalm 22

Verses 27-31

All the ends of the earth
will remember and turn to the LORD,
and all the families of the nations
will bow down before him,
for dominion belongs to the LORD
and he rules over the nations.

All the rich of the earth will feast and worship;
all who go down to the dust will kneel before him—
those who cannot keep themselves alive.
Posterity will serve him;
future generations will be told about the LORD.
They will proclaim his righteousness,
declaring to a people yet unborn:
He has done it! (NIV)

Reflection

This final portion of Psalm 22 signals the ultimate triumph of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the first half of this psalm Christ’s humiliation, suffering and death by crucifixion are vividly portrayed. With stunning accuracy and detail, David depicts these events from Christ’s perspective. Only God breathed prophetic insight could reveal such truth through a human vessel. For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21).

With today’s reading we discover the worldwide impact of Christ’s redemptive death and resurrection. All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.

Christ’s gospel—the good news of the Kingdom—has been voiced abroad. Death, hell and the grave have been conquered. Jesus Christ is Lord over all! Keep in mind that this turning to the LORD by all the families of the nations was an alien concept to the people of Israel during David’s time. Yet again, David spoke prophetically of the time when the gospel message would burst forth from its Jewish cocoon and be declared and received by ready hearts all over the world. Our Savior’s commission will be fulfilled. “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the LORD. They will proclaim his righteousness, declaring to a people yet unborn: He has done it!

Response: Father, thank you for good news of the gospel. Jesus is alive and reigns forever. Help me to do my part in bringing the message of your love and redemption to the world. Amen.

Your Turn: How can we spread the good news? What are you doing to tell His story?