To declare the name of the Lord in Zion, and His praise in Jerusalem, when the peoples are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord. (Psalm 102:21-22)
As I’ve previously mentioned, much of this psalm looks to the future when the kingdom of Israel is restored and Messiah rules from Jerusalem. Specifically, it addresses the generation that begins to see the redemptive process take shape, thus provoking them to anticipate the return of the King. As David said, in that day the peoples and kingdoms of man will be gathered together to serve the Lord and to proclaim His praise in Jerusalem. As I meditate upon how wonderful and joyous such a day will be, I can’t help but consider just how far removed from that ideal scenario mankind currently is.
It is my position that, generally speaking, humanity is vulgar and classless. By that I mean, it is commonplace to hear every imaginable profanity uttered, and even shouted, by men, women and children in any and all public places — and no one seems to care anymore. Now to be fair, man’s profane nature didn’t wait until recently to show up; it’s been that way since from the beginning. The Bible tells us that, before the flood of Noah, men began to profane the name of the Lord and that violence filled the earth. Interestingly, the Bible also says that Jerusalem, the city of God, has not been spared the taint of corruption; two thousand years ago John referred to it, spiritually, as Sodom and Egypt (Revelation 11:8), a very uncomplimentary comparison.
The point is that the current state of affairs is a far cry from what David says we can expect in the Kingdom — a time when all ethnicities, tribes and peoples will assemble in Jerusalem to bless the Name of the Lord and declare His praise. We don’t know when this day will be, but we do know it is coming. That said, the people of God shouldn’t refrain from declaring His praise, today. In fact, it is our duty to proclaim His Name among the nations and disseminate His reputation and fame among the peoples every day. That is why we are called His witnesses — to bear witness and to testify of God’s goodness and His greatness. So may it be that we all recommit ourselves to doing just that. Even though we live in a fallen, classless and profane world, let us use our tongue to speak life, blessing and praise.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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