Looking Out For The Folks

A friend recently sent me a message and included a section from Psalm 33:12. I got to thinking about the words of that verse in the King James Version. After reading the context of the verse, the word 'nation' perplexed me. When we think of nations today, ethnic diversity, political structures and governments come to mind. Early in the course of human history as seen in Genesis, however, this word would refer to groups of people from a common origin.

Psalm 33:11 The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. ¹² Blessed is the nation (people) whose God is the Lord ; and the people (the folks) whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.¹³ The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.¹⁴ From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth. ¹⁵ He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.¹⁶ There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. ¹⁷ An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.¹⁸ Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; ¹⁹ To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. ²⁰ Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield. ²¹ For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.

When God blesses a group of people it is because they look to Him and recognize that He is looking out for them.  The world is full of people who worship a certain 'God'.  They are not all the same 'God'. The word 'God' is a title just like 'king' or 'president'. Specifically, we recognize the 'God' of the Bible as our 'help and shield'. He is the  Father of Jesus Christ in the New Testament. Through the obedience of Jesus Christ we have access to the Father through His spirit.

The United States of America is a great country because of groups of people with the common origin of the new birth who have desired to see God's principles have free course in our culture. These people were free to have influence on our society throughout the course of its history. The founding fathers of this country had this in mind when they designed our government.The same can be said of other countries throughout history. History has many stories of wonderful people standing up for God.

Some days and eras are darker than others, but just as the prophets of old endeavored to remind Israel of its position in God's eyes, the same is true today.  We must be bold to speak the truth in love, be bold in our thankfulness, pray effectually and act as God opens the door to help. The graven and real life images which our culture surround us with does not need to deter us in our service or excitement.