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Blessing to the Nations

Christmas and EpiphanyWorship, Epiphany and Public WitnessWeek 6 · Day 6

Scripture References

Read First

Old Testament

Psalm 67:1-7

1 May God be merciful to us, bless us, and cause his face to shine on us. Selah.

2 That your way may be known on earth, and your salvation amongst all nations,

3 let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise you.

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4 Oh let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you will judge the peoples with equity, and govern the nations on earth. Selah.

5 Let the peoples praise you, God. Let all the peoples praise you.

6 The earth has yielded its increase. God, even our own God, will bless us.

7 God will bless us. All the ends of the earth shall fear him.

New Testament

Acts 1:8-11

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”

9 When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.

10 While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing,

11 who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky, will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.”

Thought for the Day

Psalm 67 asks for blessing with an outward face: ‘May God be gracious to us… that your way may be known on earth.’ The light of God’s countenance is not given to be hoarded. It shines so that the nations may find the path, and the peoples may be glad. Praise, here, is not parochial; it is world-sized.

God, let your face shine upon us. Make us a blessing, not a barrier. Teach us to pray wide, and to live faithfully where you have placed us.

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In Acts 1, Jesus promises power for witness, and then he is taken up. The disciples are left staring into the sky until they are called back to faithfulness: ‘Why do you stand looking into heaven?’ Waiting, for them, will not mean idleness. It will mean prayer, unity, and readiness for the Spirit’s gift. The same Jesus will come again.

The map Jesus gives is both ordinary and immense: Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, the ends of the earth. This widens our prayers. We are invited to care about places we will never visit, and neighbours we will never meet, because God’s mercy has a global horizon. And it steadies our local witness too: blessing becomes credible when it takes the shape of justice, peace, and truthful love.

Prayer Points

Respond
  • Gracious God, shine your face upon us, and make your blessing overflow to the nations
  • Give your Church power by the Holy Spirit to witness with humility and courage
  • Have mercy on places suffering war, famine, or oppression, and bring justice and peace
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  • Forgive us for hoarding comfort, and teach us to desire the good of those far away
  • Gather us as brethren at your table, praying with wide hearts and steady hope
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