Blessing and Praise

(Psalm 67) Andy Nagahara

0 For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm. A song. 1 May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, 2 that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations. 3 May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. 4 May the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you rule the peoples justly and guide the nations of the earth. 5 May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you. 6 Then the land will yield its harvest, and God, our God, will bless us. 7 God will bless us, and all the ends of the earth will fear him.

A. Let’s seek God’s blessing

1. Reconciliation (2)

2. Justice (4)

3. Harvest (6,7)

B. Who does God bless? (3,5)

May the peoples praise you, O God; may all the peoples praise you.

C. Praise for God’s blessings

1. Toward God

2. Toward one another

3. Toward society

Summary

Religions, including Christianity, can be used as a tool to promote nationalism, but if we read our Bible carefully, we find that God does not belong to any particular individual or nation. If we claim to believe in the God who loves all people, we must be set free from our own prejudices and desire to love others as Jesus loves.

For Discussion

1) What is God’s blessing?
2) How does God want us to live?