God's Presence Over All the Earth (Psalm 68, Part 3)

God’s Presence in the Future (verses 28-35)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2068:28-35&version=NIV

God’s victory will bring the nations of the world into submission to His rule. All the nations of the earth will one day submit to Him. May our voices join in praising Him whose voice called us into being. Praise be to God!

Praise You, Sovereign God, for Your presence. May increasing numbers of peoples in Jefferson County submit to Your rule. We sing to You, proclaiming Your power and majesty. You are awesome, O God, in Your sanctuary; You give power and strength to Your people. Praise be to God!

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, The strife will not be long.

This day the noise of battle; The next, the victor’s song.

To him that overcometh, A crown of life will be;

He with the King of Glory Shall reign eternally.

George Duffield (1794-1868)

God's Presence Over All the Earth (Psalm 68, Part 2)

God’s Presence in the Past (verses 7-18)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2068:7-18&version=NIV

Earthquakes and storms describe the cosmic impact of God’s actions. The earth shook when its Creator hung on a cross. As God rains His grace on us may we rejoice and partake of His blessings. After descending from his throne our Lord Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and ascended up to heaven. From there he sent the Holy Spirit.

Our God, we praise You for Your presence in the past and Your abundant showers of grace on us. Make us faithful to announce Your Word in Jefferson County. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for ascending on high and dwelling there.

God's Presence Over All the Earth (Psalm 68, Part 1)

May we find God’s presence that covers the earth so overwhelming that we fall to our knees and praise Him.

Praise for God’s Presence (verses 1-6)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2068:1-6&version=NIV

God has made us righteous by His grace so we will overflow with delight. We sing praise to God’s name and celebrate His acts of vindication. God watches over the destitute and the oppressed, whose rights are trampled by the rich and powerful. He protects and defends the most vulnerable, including orphans and widows. May we take our attention off the wealthy and famous and instead care for those in difficult circumstances.

Our God, arise. In the midst of the hostile environment of Jefferson County Your people sing to You our God, we sing in praise of Your name. Thank You that You are a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows. Praise You for setting the lonely in families and leading out the prisoners with singing.

http://www.geneva.edu/object/newsong_psalm68

Let the Whole World Know and Praise God (Psalm 67, Part 2)

Just Rule of God (verses 4-5)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2067:4-5&version=NIV

God has promised to guide us, for which He has given us His Word. This missionary psalm teaches that worship involves witness. Ultimately because of God’s life-changing salvation the peoples of the world will rejoice and sing praises for God’s just rule and guidance.

Lord of the universe, may the nations be glad and sing for joy. With justice You rule the peoples of the world with justice and You guide the nations of this earth. Make Your Word the source of guidance for Your church. May all the peoples in Jefferson County praise You, starting with the people in Your Church. May all the peoples praise You.

Let the Whole World Know and Praise God (Psalm 67, Part 1)

God wants everyone to respond in praise for His blessing of salvation. As God’s people may we invite the peoples of the earth through God’s salvation to join in praising Him.

Communal Praise of God (verses 1-3) 

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2067:1-3&version=NIV

God’s grace expresses His undeserved love for His children. As His church, His community, God has given us the responsibility to make His way of salvation known throughout earth. We pray that the peoples of the earth will know Christ the Way and turn to him. When the peoples of the earth know God, they will join us in praising Him whom every tongue will confess.

We, Your community, praise You our God. May You be gracious to us and bless us and make Your face shine on us. Use us to make Your ways known on earth. Send us out to share Your salvation among all nations. May the peoples of this earth praise You, God; may all the peoples praise You.

http://www.geneva.edu/object/newsong_may_god_to_us_be_gracious

Let the Whole World Know and Praise God (Psalm 67, Part 3)

Universal Blessing of God (verses 6-7)

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2067:6-7&version=NIV

God gives us blessings so we can bless the world. May we use our prosperity to spread the gospel. May our blessings from God result in all peoples knowing His salvation. By our resulting joy sadness and anxiety are excluded; by our fear of God contempt and false security are banished.

God our blessing, thank You for blessing us. Thank You for grafting us into Your family. Convict us, Lord, to use our blessings to reach and bless others. Praise You that ultimately all the ends of the earth will fear You.

We can use this psalm as a prayer for the salvation of the whole world. We have been grafted together through God’s salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. Together we share this great blessing with the whole world.

Lord, the light of your love is shining,

      in the midst of the darkness shining:

Jesus, Light of the world, shine upon us;

      set us free by the truth you now bring us –

      shine on me, shine on me.

Shine Jesus, shine, fill this land with the Father’s glory;

      blaze, Spirit, blaze, set our hearts on fire.

Flow, river, flow, flood the nations with grace and mercy;

      send forth your word, Lord, and let there be light!

Graham Kendrick (1950- )