A Blessed Nation
The blessings of being God’s people is something that Christians sometimes forget in the hustle and bustle of daily life. We get caught up in the day to day grind of school or work (and sometimes both) and then come home to give our time over to various forms of digital entertainment before collapsing for the night and beginning the cycle again in the morning. This only amplifies the importance of setting aside time to gather with the saints to study the Bible and worship God. Unfortunately, we can make the sad mistake of bringing the attitude developed throughout the week into the assembly when we really ought to bring the attitude we develop in the assembly into the rest of our week.
Meditating on the thirty-third psalm provides us an opportunity to refresh our perspective and renew ourselves spiritually. It reminds us of why we became God’s people in the first place. It begins emphasizing how the joy we have available in life by living for God should lead us to worship and praise the LORD even more (Psa. 33:1-3). This connection often goes unnoticed as life runs by us at the speed of the world. However, one only need consider the misery and despair that the ungodly suffer and feel—often without reason—because they lack the perspective of righteousness. Instead, we can trust God’s word to provide a valuable perspective to guide us through life that offers peace even in the midst of trial (Psa. 33:4-5). Viewing the simple beauties of creation reminds us not only of God’s glory and greatness but also of how much can be accomplished by His word (Psa. 33:6-9). Thus we can appreciate, as others cannot, the value of God’s guidance through all the storms of life (Psa. 33:10-11). Truly then does the psalm speak, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, The people He has chosen as His own inheritance” (Psa. 33:12). Being God’s people—in any generation—offers blessings beyond compare. He knows us all (Psa. 33:13-15), but He will deliver those who reverence Him (Psa. 33:16-19). This powerful promise, though, has meaning only so far as our faith extends and accepts all that He has said and done.
How then should God’s people respond to such majestic promises? God’s faithfulness should help us be patient, because we are confident He will do exactly as He has promised (Psa. 33:20). God’s blessings should bring joy to our lives that others cannot even comprehend because of their transcendent nature (Psa. 33:21). All that God has said and done should make us the most hopeful people on earth, for we have more to look forward to in one day in Christ than the world can expect in a lifetime (Psa. 33:22). Truly it is a blessing to be part of God’s people. Truly it is a blessing to be a Christian, God’s child, and a member of the Lord’s church! “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy” (1 Pet. 2:9-10).