Psalm 67 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 67 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
Verse 2that your way may be known upon earth, your saving power among all nations.
Verse 3Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
Verse 4Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah
Verse 5Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
Verse 6The earth has yielded its increase; God, our God, has blessed us.
Verse 7May God continue to bless us; let all the ends of the earth revere him.
Devotion
Currently, the community around me is focused on one thing: the World Cup. Living in Paris, France, means being enveloped in the energy and paying attention to the joy and disappointment of each goal scored, each penalty shot pending, and each final score.
We have experienced for weeks the nations together, being glad, singing, dancing, playing bagpipes, eating new foods, making new friends, and building bridges. In many ways, it has been a healing among the nations who all too often see each other only as ones to fear.
Imagine what the memes and video clips would be if we lived this psalm here on earth already! What would the world feel and sound and look like if we were gracious to each other and blessed each other so that all could know God’s equity in this moment? Oh, how the nations would be glad and sing for joy!
Prayer
Through your graciousness to us, may we be gracious to one another. Guide us so you are revered to the ends of the earth, O Lord. Amen.
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