Day 21 – Until the whole world knows

Day 21 – Until the whole world knows

Theme: The Great Commission

Focus: God’s ongoing mission

Prayer: Sending and obedience

Scripture: Psalm 67; Revelation 21

“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine on us, so that your

ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations.” Ps 67:1–2

“He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Rev 21:5, NIV

Reflection:

God’s mission has always been global

God has never been focused solely on one people, one place, or one portion of history.

From Genesis to Revelation, His heart has always been big enough for the whole earth. Psalm 67 leaves no room for confusion. God blesses His people not so they can live lives of comfort and abundance, but so that His ways may be known on earth and His salvation among all nations.

God’s blessing moves us forward

When we receive God’s gift, we receive it for the good of others. When grace is

deposited into our lives, it is done that we might be propelled and compelled beyond

ourselves.

Mission begins at home, it begins with our neighbours but it doesn’t end there, it goes to the nations. Neighbours to nations.

This is important, this desire in God did not start with the Great Commission, it is present in the Garden itself, in God’s desire to draw people to himself. God’s heart for the nations stretches from the very heart of God in Genesis as he cries out “Where are you?” (Gen 3:9) and in such a tone through the whole text of scripture from beginning to end.

In the same way God sought to walk with humanity in his Creation (Gen 3:8) the end of this is God making all things new, walking in close communion with humanity and creation. Psalm 67 tells us why God calls us into mission. Revelation 21 shows us where it’s headed.

Mission is propelled and anchored in hope. If we believe that God is sending His people

into the world, if we believe that history is moving towards a culmination, we can step out in confidence even when the details of our everyday life, declaration and demonstration don’t make sense.

In such, mission is shaped by confidence, not anxiety. We join in God’s mission because we trust that He is at work far beyond what we see. Our fear is not that God will fail to act, but that we would fail to participate. We live between Psalm 67 and Revelation 21.

We live in a world where His ways are not yet known among all nations. We live in a world where 3.42 Billion people are considered among the ‘unreached’, where there is little to no access to the Gospel for most, in a world where only 3 percent of those sent to the nations engage.

Even with such an overwhelming task, we serve with the hope and promise that God is

making everything new. We live by faith; we plant, we water, we send others, and we

simply obey. Everything we do flows out of a confident heart, a hope that the God who is both sent and sender will complete the work.

The invitation stands,

To trust. To give. To go. To obey. To hope.

God is making everything new, and He calls you to be part of that story.

Prayer

Father God, Thank you that You are a God whose heart is for the nations. Thank You that You bless us and empower us not so that we can stop with ourselves but that your ways may be known among all nations. Fill us with hearts that worship you by going, by giving, and by obedience. Help us to live in the tension between the now and the not yet. The promise that you have given us is sure and certain. Give us courage to trust that you are making all things new, even when we can’t see it. Fill us with hope and send us into the world, for you are faithful.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection questions

1. Where have I lost sight of God’s global mission by making it about my own world or

concerns?

2. What fears or comforts prevent me from obeying God’s call to go and make

disciples?

3. Knowing that God is making all things new, how does that shape how you live and

serve today?