God of All Nations
Opening Prayer
Gracious Lord, I can truly say that “great is Your faithfulness.” I give You my praise and thanks today.
Read PSALM 117:1-2
[1] Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. [2] For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
Who is called to praise God here, and why?I’m British and I’ve lived in Australia for most of my life. In all that time, I have never been naturalized or adopted Australian citizenship. It’s not that I don’t love Australia. It’s a great place to live. But there is something a bit odd to me about the way nations define themselves against other nations. It doesn’t do much harm on the sports field, but excessive nationalism has spawned all manner of evil.
Israel had that tendency right throughout much of its history. As God’s chosen nation, they seemed to think that, since God had favored them, he had rejected the rest of the world. It was almost explicit by New Testament times in the definitions “Jew” and “Gentile.”
This remarkable psalm reminds us that God loves the whole world, and that his faithfulness extends to all peoples everywhere (2). Even more remarkable is the idea that “all” the nations can respond to and tell of God’s love and faithfulness (1). His faithfulness never, ever fails and his mercies to all his creation are “new every morning” (Lam. 3:23). For that, “all nations” can give God thanks.
Apply
Do you know anyone from another nation? Pray for them and do something that will bless them.
Closing prayer
Lord, I praise You that Your love extends to all people everywhere. May I love all people with Your love, too.
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