Oh, sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! (Ps. 96:1-3, ESV)
The book of Psalms may not be the first place we think of when looking for examples of missions. However, it is filled with demonstrations of God's heart for all people. Psalm 96 is one of the clearest examples because we can see the instruction to tell of God's salvation as well as where the declaration is to take place.
I first traveled out of the country for a mission trip in 1996. I and five other teens (and a few adults) flew from Atlanta, Georgia, to San Jose, Costa Rica. From there, we traveled by bus to San Ramon to work with a church. Our goal was simply to be exposed to another culture. Being in a country where I could not communicate with those around me was a humbling experience.
While each day contained a different focus around a new ministry activity, one still sticks out in my mind almost thirty years later. Early on a Thursday morning, the leaders bussed us to the edge of a river, where our team boarded several small fishing boats. These boats took us on what was only about a twenty-minute ride to an island in the middle of the vast river. This island was seven miles in circumference.
Our goal that day was to lead a church service at a simple structure in the middle of the island. This island had no running water, no electricity, and no motorized vehicles. Dozens of people walked in the rain and through the mud to attend the service, primarily, I think, to see the Americans. What was interesting is that this group of people referred to themselves by their village's name more than by their country's name. They were
Whenever we read the word 'nations' in the Old Testament, we must understand that it does not necessarily refer to countries with sovereign borders and established governments. This term refers to ethnolinguistic people groups, about 12,000 of which exist today.
In the first three verses of Psalm 96, there are several important components.
First, all of the inhabitants of the earth are invited to sing praises to God.
Second, we are to tell of his salvation from day to day.
Third, we are to declare his glory to the nations or to all people groups.
Fourth, we are to tell of his mighty works throughout history among all peoples.
While Israel was clearly God's chosen people, all those on earth are invited to sing praises to God. How will that be possible? It will only be possible when those who currently follow God are committed to telling of his salvation day to day. God wanted all people to see his glory. That is why God's people were to declare that glory to the nations and tell of his mighty works to all peoples.
Our response to seeing God's heart for all people groups and seeing his desire for all people to know him should result in God's people telling of his salvation from day to day.
God's heart for all people is the ultimate motivation for missions.
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