Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music ... - Psalm 98:4

Today’s Scripture Reading (July 17, 2013): Psalm 98 & 99

The charge given to Abraham by God was that “all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” (Genesis 12:3.) From the very beginning of the nation of Israel, Israel was to be blessed so that the world could be blessed. The idea was that Israel would be conduit through which God would change and heal the earth. God’s blessing of Israel was never intended to be so that Israel would be glorified. The purpose was always so God would be glorified in the presence of the world – and that everyone would know that the God of Israel reigns – in Israel and throughout the rest of the world. Israel was created to serve the nations.

I believe that the charge that has been given to Abraham and the nation of Israel (and is still in force for Israel) has been extended to the Christian Church. God does not endeavor to bless the church so that the church can be glorified – so that those of us who walk around carrying the name of Christ can be honored or revered. That may be what we want, but it was never the purpose God had for his church. The Christian Church has been charged to become the servants of the world – so that the world can be a better place. Jesus probably sets the charge to the church best in the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount – “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-26.) The purpose of both Israel and the churches existence is so that the world might be blessed and know God.

And it is this purpose that is alluded to in this verse. The Psalmist cries out that it is all the earth that should be filled with a song for God. The Psalm alludes to the day when God would clearly leave the mountain in Jerusalem and become the property of the entire world. The day would come when Jews and Gentiles would both be invited into the act of worship of the living God – together.

It is also the moment that Jesus speaks of to an unnamed woman at their meeting at a well in a small town in Samaria – “... believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem ... a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks” (John 4:21, 23.)

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Psalm 100

Note: The VantagePoint Community Church (Edmonton) message "Naked" from the series "An Epic Summer" is now available on the VantagePoint Website. You can find it here.