For God is the King of all the earth;sing to him a psalmof praise. (Ps. 47:7)
A YOUNG MISSIONARY DOCTOR was serving in a small field hospital in Africa. He often had to make overnight journeys into the jungle, which required camping in a tent. On one trip, he encountered a man who confessed that he and his friends planned to kill and rob the doctor on a particular night but did not because of the twenty-six men standing outside of his tent—men that he and all of his friends observed. Shocked, the doctor assured him he was alone that evening. Later, the doctor conveyed that story to a gathering of church leaders, who assured him that they had prayed for him on that particular night—all twenty-six of them.
In today’s psalm, David cried out to the nations, and admonished them to praise the Lord with cries of joy. For this reason, we send out missionaries to the farthest corners of the earth to bring the good news of Jesus Christ to all who would receive it—even to those who might prove hostile to the gospel.
We are to keep our brothers and sisters in Christ, especially those who serve in faraway lands, always in our prayers. On the glorious day of Jesus Christ, believers from every tribe and nation will sing praises to their conquering King—the one who delivered them from their oppressors. Until then, let us never cease interceding for His servants.
Find a way to communicate a word of encouragement to missionaries this week.
Doug Schmidt is a freelance writer and editor and is on staff with his church as a small-groups coach.
