God's plan has, from the very beginning, been to spread His Kingdom peace and rule throughout the entire earth. At Babel, humanity turned His plan inward on themselves, the antithesis of His desire.

I love the words of this Psalm. It asks for blessing, but not for isolation. It says, "May God bless us ... so that your way may be known on earth." I find this refreshing in a church and national culture that increasingly turns themselves inward to self-preservation and self-exaltation. The Truth in this passage reminds us that blessing isn't the end itself, it's a means to spreading that blessing to the nations.

In Psalm 67 the people are longing for the nations to rejoice in the justice of God's rule. The nations are not viewed as rivals or enemies to dominate, but people whom should be invited into worship. This passage quietly, but decisively, responds to the rebellion of Babel's pride. The scattered nations are not a problem to be solved but a promise to be fulfilled!

This is an ancient issue we humans still struggle with today. We want God to bring blessing to us, our tribe, our platform, or our church. But God's mandate and the covenant He made with us has always been about moving outward from ourselves to the nations. In God's capable hands, even the scattering of languages becomes fertile ground for global redemption and praise.

Contrary to the American church model of "bigger is better" that turns all our efforts inward on ourselves, on our buildings, and our own ministries, this passage reminds us of our ultimate purpose: to bring Jesus' rule and reign to the far reaches of the earth.

Our mandate and existence isn't centered around building "up" for ourselves, we exist so the world will know His name.

Personal security and flourishing are both amazing things, but they aren't our ultimate goal as servants of Jesus. Neither is the advancement of political, social, or economic agendas. Our mission is to advance and enlarge the present Kingdom of Heaven as we wait the "not yet" to arrive.

I'm curious ... where have you seen this inwardly focused approach before? Even more so, where have you seen it  creep up in your own heart and mind? How can we reflect His desire for the world to know His name in our daily lives?

Father, I pray every day that your face will shine on me, not so I and I alone can feel its warmth, but so I may be energized to tell the world about you and the power of your name. Soften my heart to grow beyond itself. Help me to echo and reflect the goodness of your light. Amen.