RTW 2022

May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us.
Psalm 67:1

These words come from the Aaronic or priestly blessing:

The LORD bless you and keep you; The LORD make His face shine upon you, And, be gracious to you; The LORD lift up His countenance upon you, And give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24-26 (NKJV)

The psalmist asks for:

• God’s mercy, demonstrating that he recognized his need for it.
• God’s blessing demonstrating his confidence that all things come from God.

It would be quite a sight to see a guilty criminal before a judge, pleading for mercy, and receiving it – and then asking for a blessing! But God’s love toward us is that great.

• God’s smile, demonstrating that he knows the warmth of their relationship.
  “A shining face implies favor…and it implies the friendliness of warm personal relationships too.” – J.M. Boice

Then he instructs the reader pause and think calmly about this: selah

The word selah is found in two books of the Bible, but is most prevalent in the Psalms, where it appears 74 times.

The palmist asks for:

• God’s ways to be known and His saving power to be demonstrated to everyone everywhere.
• All nations praise God, and sing for joy celebrating God governing guidance.

Then he instructs the reader to pause and think calmly about this: selah

The psalmist asks for

• More national praise and a blessing of a great harvest
  It’s possible that this was written during the time of harvest, yet it’s depth implies the great harvest of believers when Christ returns (Psalm 67:4) saving power.

• Ends with the confident statement of God’s faithfulness:
  Yes, God will bless us, and people all over the world will fear Him.

Peter speaks of believers as the royal priesthood, those who listen and obey God,

• But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
  1 Peter 2:9 .

What if we, the royal priesthood prayed this priestly prayer?

I’ve printed it out and plan to pray it. Will you join me?

‍

No one is beyond the reach of God. I’m never so far from God that He can’t reach me. Praise His Name!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed.
Psalm 61:2

Listen! The LORD’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call.
Isaiah 59:1

‍

Print and pray Psalm 67.