May 13th~God of the Nations

Psalms 68-70

Psalm 86

Psalm 101

We continued in the psalms of David, most of which are consumed with his praying for safety from his enemies. It is obvious in whom David trusted during times of trouble. His words repeatedly exalt his divine refuge and Rescuer.

However, in the midst of David’s praise for his God, he made a claim that stood out to me today. He wrote, “All the nations will come and bow before you, Lord” (86:9). In this passage, David listed several reasons why the nations would bow before Him.

First, the Lord made the nations (v.9). The development of individual nations was God’s idea. After the Flood, He gave the command to multiply and fill the earth; and, when Nimrod rebelled against that command and kept everyone together, it was God’s idea to disperse them according to their language at the Tower of Babel. Nations were to be used in God’s plan, particularly in bringing about the Promised Savior. Since all men and nations were created by God, then all men and nations are accountable to God and His commandments.

Second, there is no one like our God among the gods of the nations. Satan has distracted and clouded the minds of people for ages, regarding the worship of God, by introducing all kinds of “competition” — idols, images, myths, false gods, and other religions — anything to keep people from finding and serving the One True God. However, our God has proven that He alone is the Lord of heaven and earth, and there is no other. Creation bears witness to His presence, the Bible is distinct among all books, His Son Jesus is unlike anyone who has ever lived, and Christianity has separated itself from all the religions of the earth. There is no one else like our God. He is the One True God.

Third, the Lord is great and He performs miracles. Our God has separated Himself by His deeds. He is the Creator of all things, the Deliverer of His people Israel, the God who became flesh in Jesus Christ and performed feats that cannot be explained. He also defeated death at the resurrection of Christ. No other God can claim these unexplainable feats.

Finally, the Lord is the Judge of the nations. While God created all men and nations, and He loves all men and nations, He must also keep them accountable to their deeds. Their rejection of Him and rebellion against Him do not go unnoticed and will not go unpunished. While Jesus, at His first coming, offered the only way to be made right with God, when He comes for the second time, He will not return as Savior but as Judge. That will be the day of reckoning for all men and nations. Their rebellion will be checked; and, whether they believed in Him or not, they will bow before His presence and con- fess that He alone is God of the nations.

Daily Reflection

While the Lord our God is God of the nations, nations are just comprised of individuals, men and women like you. Is our God the God of the individuals in your nation? Explain.

Our God is the God of the nations but He also wants to be your God, and He wants to use you to reach the nations for Him, starting with where He has placed you.

BiAY.org | Day 133 — 232 Days to Go