Psalm 96 and Missions, Part One
The Psalms are full of calls to worship. You seemingly can not turn a page without sensing this overwhelming focus. Psalm 96 is no exception to this. The first four verses read as follows:
"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! For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods."
God by His very nature is worthy of praise. His perfections showcase His splendor. He is glorious and has done done glorious things. He is eternally holy, good, righteous, and just. There is nothing in Him that is unworthy in the slightest of praise.
This is the first reason I believe this Psalm is focused on missions. Our God is great and worthy of praise. Missions is a calling of those who are not worshipers to place their attention, devotion, and affections on the only One worthy of praise. When we tell of the Gospel to those who have not heard, we are telling of the marvelous works of God and the all satisfying power of His grace.
This Sunday night, our pastor shared a quote by John Piper that I have read and used before. It seems fitting to include it here:
"Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man. When this age is over, and the countless millions of the redeemed fall on their faces before the throne of God, missions will be no more. It is a temporary necessity. But worship abides forever." John Piper, Let the Nations Be Glad, pg.17
We are both called to worship and to seek worshipers for our great King. That's missions.
Posted by Jack
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1:24 PM
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