Psalm 67 Devotional

Key Verses: 1-2 and 7 "(1) God be merciful to us and bless us, and cause his face to shine upon us, (2) that Your way may be known on earth, Your salvation among all nations…(7) God shall bless us, and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him."

Spurgeon Insight: "We are blessed for the sake of others as well as ourselves. God deals in a way of mercy with His saints, and then they make that way known far and wide, and the LORD's name is made famous in the earth…God shall bless us is our assured confidence; He may smite us, or strip us, or even slay us, but He must bless us. He cannot turn away from doing good to His elect."

This Psalm invokes the blessing of God on His people for the purpose of showing His goodness to those who don't yet know Him. They want to be blessed so that the entire world will see how loving God is with His people.

This Psalm really challenges my motivation in desiring God's blessing. The Psalm is liberating in one aspect because it shows that it is biblical and fine to simply ask God to bless me. Yet, the Psalm is challenging because it also shows that a primary reason I should want God to bless me is that others may be blessed through seeing how He has worked in my life. I shouldn't just want to benefit from God for myself. I should pursue His gifts so other people can see what God is in my life and be astonished at how great He is to people who don't deserve His love. I should want to be blessed by Jesus so that others can be blessed in seeing the good things they too can have in a relationship with Him.

Ask yourself some penetrating questions with me. Why do I want God to bless me? Is it just about me, or something bigger? Do I want His love to be lavished on me for the purpose of showing the goodness of Christ to other people? Is it even in my spiritual faculties to think that way?

Father, I want the type of heart that wants to be blessed so that those around me will catch a glimpse of Your love in my life. I pray others would see Your goodness in my life and want to know You so that they can experience Your goodness too. I thank You for those who have seen Your blessings in me and my family and been drawn to You. Praise You, LORD. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Grace and Peace