Overflowing

When we are glad in God, our joy will overflow: we will want to tell others. We will want to spread that gladness to all the nations.

Psalm 67 starts by asking God to be gracious to us, to bless us -- so that the nations will come to know Him and His salvation -- so that they will praise and worship Him.  It ends with a prayer fulfilled: "God blesses us, that all the ends of the earth may fear Him."

When we are satisfied, and when we are praising God, we will want to spread that gladness to all we meet.

We've talked before about how when we see something praiseworthy, we are eager to share the experience. If we see a hawk in flight in a sunlit sky, or a chain of mountains covered in verdant forests, we want to take photos and tell others about the beauty we saw. 

If there's a new baby in our family, we want to joyfully tell others about its arrival, and how much he/she weighed, and whose family resemblance we see!

If we have experienced God's blessing of salvation, or He has delivered us from a trial, our praise will spontaneously overflow. We want to share the joy - His salvation is the ultimate joy! And why? So that other people can enjoy Him, too.

...rejoice that your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:20b)

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. (Psalm 5:11) 

Even if it costs us: financially, or by being outcast or persecuted, or even if it costs our lives . . . it increases God's glory to take the gospel to other people and to other nations.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. (Romans 1:16)

It's our privilege, as believers, to assist missionaries as they live out their God-given passion to reach others for Him. They may be preaching in established churches, or pioneering new congregations, often under the skies instead of under roofs. They may be training others to continue the work of discipling and making "fishers of men." They may be holding community events like backyard Bible schools, or visiting prisons - all of this to reach people that God loves and tell them about His salvation.

We can support their work with our prayers.

We can support their work with our financial gifts.

We can even join them in the field on mission trips.

But we can be missionaries and allow His joy to overflow when we are at home in our own communities, too. If we are ridiculed for our witness, "count it all joy." If we are persecuted for our faith, we keep on believing and spreading His joy.

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. (John 15:19)

However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. (I Peter 4:16)

Be gracious and bless us, Lord, so that we may overflow with your joy - so others may know!