Insight
Every nation will honor Him
The Psalmist wrote: “Stand Silent! Know that I am God! I
will be honored by every nation in the world!” (Psalm 46:10, The Living Bible,
emphasis added). Although it may seem difficult to comprehend how every country
of the world will honor God, this verse reminds us to take heart. God said it
will happen, and we know He always keeps His promises.
Yet the challenge of reaching the nations of this world with
the gospel of Jesus Christ often appears overwhelming and beyond all
possibility. In human terms, it seems inconceivable to think we could reach
every nation of the world with a clear witness of Christ. World events cause us
to wonder how God’s plan can ever be accomplished. The enemy is quick to use
these outward influences to discourage us and stymie our efforts to complete
God’s plan for His church.
The primary reason for our wavering is we look through the
lens of our own resources and abilities. God doesn’t ask us to do the
impossible. He simply asks that we trust Him to equip us to accomplish His purpose.
This is one of the Bible’s great truths — what seems impossible to us is
possible with God. As we honor His Word, God will lead us into the fullness of
what He wants us to do.
Sixteen years ago who would have thought the Soviet Union
would fracture and we would have access to all the republics that once were
part of that massive empire? Several new nations emerged, including six in the
predominantly Muslim region of Central Eurasia. Historically, these nations
— Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and
Uzbekistan — had been virtually closed to any preaching of the gospel.
The Soviet Union’s collapse allowed a change in perspective
in many of these lands. Restrictions remain numerous for the church, but doors
have opened for believers to make an increasing impact. These new opportunities
are reminders of God’s unfolding plan to draw all nations to himself. What is
taking place now makes His promise easier to comprehend.
While part of the message in Psalm 46:10 refers to Jesus’
second coming when every knee shall bow, the truth of the Great Commission is
evident as well. The lands where our missionaries now work will one day honor
God. Our responsibility is to make sure we do everything possible for all
people to have an adequate witness of the gospel.
God promised to make of Abraham’s descendants a great nation
that would bless all peoples of the world. Genesis 18:18 records it this way:
“Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on
earth will be blessed through him” (Genesis 18:18, NIV). God’s promise was
all-inclusive. He didn’t say He would bless only a few people groups. He didn’t
imply that all nations would be receptive. He simply said all nations will be
blessed through Abraham.
If we take God at His word — and of course we do
— we must stand on the promise that God intends for all nations to have
an adequate witness. He wants that witness to be strong enough to influence
their future.
Not everyone will receive Christ as Savior. But the church
— the kingdom of God — will reach into every land with a message
powerful enough to give everyone an adequate chance to know about Jesus Christ
and to honor God. We cannot know how God will bring this about, but we can be
prepared to go when the doors open.
Someday we will stand with people from every nation, tribe
and tongue, giving honor to whom all honor is due. What a glorious time that
will be when together we exalt His name!
L. JOHN BUENO
E-mail your comments to tpe@ag.org.
