Read Psalm 67:1-7. 1May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, 2that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. 3Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! 4Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. 5Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! 6The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, shall bless us. 7God shall bless us; let all the ends of the earth fear him!
The priestly blessing of Numbers 6 anchors this psalm as David looks all the way back to God’s covenant with Abraham who was blessed to be a blessing to all nations.
David knows that, yes, God has met their need for the harvest (the earth has yielded its increase), but he also knows that the Earth’s greatest need is God himself. His presence. His shining face. Our greatest need is to fear God and then praise God.
The shining face of Christ is what has truly fulfilled this prophetic prayer – God shall bless us! It is in our union with Christ that we find God’s greatest blessing and our truest praise. It is in the cross of Christ that all the ends of the earth will learn know God’s way, his saving power, and his ever increasing grace.
Has praise been difficult for you lately? Take your eyes off everything else for a moment and behold the shining face of Christ as the great blessing of God in your life.
To live is Christ is to live within this great cycle of blessing and praise. Blessing from God. Praise to God. All rooted in the shining face of Jesus.
You: In what ways has praise been difficult for you lately?
You in Christ: How does union with Christ allow you to praise God no matter what circumstances you are facing today?
Christ in you: Are you living in the cycle of blessing and praise? If not, how can you enter into it today?
Pray: Father, you have blessed me with your presence. Make your presence shine upon me in the face of Jesus Christ, as I trust in you more and more. Amen.
To Live is Christ 