The Graciousness of God

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Scripture:

Psa. 67:0   To the leader: with stringed instruments. A Psalm. A Song.
1     May God be gracious to us and bless us
        and make his face to shine upon us, Selah
2     that your way may be known upon earth,
        your saving power among all nations.
3     Let the peoples praise you, O God;
        let all the peoples praise you.

Observation:

The people of God,
created in the image of God,
reflect God
when in a face to face relationship with God.

The potential for this reflection always exists because of the graciousness of our holy God. God never steps out of alignment with his people, but it is his people who turn their backs on him. God in his graciousness is always in a position to shine his face on us. The only reason we wouldn’t reflect his image is because we refuse to look upon his face. The cry of the Psalmist is that the people of God would respond to the graciousness of God. When that happens then God is reflected through his creation to all of the earth. God is then known on the earth and his saving power revealed through the transformed lives of his followers. It is when we are in a face to face relationship with our holy God that we are filled with love and devotion which overflows and results in praises day and night for our gracious God.

Application:

It’s Sunday morning and about time to head out to church. It’s also Father’s Day and we all wonder what kind of a message we will hear. I have the privilege of preaching this morning — a message about living life without excuses. The world is filled with excuses about why things happen in particular ways. This Psalm leads us into a prayerful life without excuses.

Our gracious God wants to shine his face upon us and bless us. God wants us to be his reflections in the world. God wants his salvation revealed through you and me. God wants us to praise him.

What are our excuses for this not happening? It’s not God’s problem — it’s ours. We choose to be out of alignment with God. We refuse to respond to his grace. We enjoy wallowing in our negative circumstances and if we respond to God’s grace we just may have to quit complaining!

All the while we struggle, God remains constant. He is constantly reaching out toward us, ready for his face to shine and be reflected in and through us.

Prayer:

LORD, your gracious love is overwhelming. Thank you.  Amen.
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