I’m a visual person so when I read, I “see” the story in my mind. When I read Psalm 96 as the whole earth is summoned to sing and praise the Lord, I think of the scene “The Lion King” when the entire savannah came to Pride Rock to give homage to Mufasa. Even the bugs and crawly things came to pay tribute.
 
How much more when the earth is called to bear witness of the majesty of our King. In this passage, Israel is called to bless the Lord’s name, proclaim His salvation, and declare His glory … yep, you guessed it … among the nations.
 
Unfortunately, it doesn’t take much of a glance around the church today to see it filled with people who enjoy the idea of God’s Kingdom but truly care very little about whether or not others know the King. A faith that stays close to home becomes comfortable and reinforces our preferences over the reality of truth.
 
The Psalmist here is completely enthralled by the worthiness and greatness of God. His glory is deserves to be declared and His marvelous works to be remembered. Even the creation itself is seen rejoicing because the Lord is coming to judge the world with righteousness and faithfulness.
 
I’ve been around churches and preachers who used guilt to motivate so-called evangelism claiming that is what pushed the mission forward. But they were wrong … it grows from worship. If we could focus our eyes to see the Lord in the way the Psalmist does, we’d see He is worthy above every rival, He is faithful in His rule, and we’d begin to desire others know Him as we do.

Our mission isn’t to begrudgingly take the Gospel with indifference, shrugging our soldiers in a mild hope that maybe someone will receive it. The thing we must find out about ourselves is do we actually delight in the King we are called to proclaim? A heart shaped by this sort of love doesn’t hold so tightly to the good news. It longs for neighbors, strangers, peoples, and nations to join the song because He alone is worth!

Think back over your time walking with God. Has your worship enlarged your concern and care for others, or has your faith gradually become centered mostly on your own life and your own needs? Think of someone you’d genuinely like to see come to know the goodness and Glory of God?

Father, You alone are worthy of worship and praise from the people of the nations. Grant me repentance when my faith becomes small, private, or centered on self. Give me a heart that wants others to know your goodness and your mercy; that wants them to see your glory and salvation. Amen.

“Lord, grow in me a deeper desire for __________________ to know Your glory.”