"May your ways be known on earth, your salvation among all nations" (Psalm 67:2).
We often do not consider Old Testament saints as having a heart for evangelism, but this is exactly the case with David in Psalm 67. While the “good news” had not yet been realized in Christ, David looked forward to the day when God’s salvation would be known among all the nations. He hoped for the fulfillment of God’s design when the blessings of God would be extended beyond the boundaries of Israel and spread to all the peoples of the earth. David realized that the extension of His kingdom would bring greater glory to God as people from various regions and cultures lifted their voices in praise to the Lord. David’s references in this psalm to the praise of all people refers not to God’s providential government of the world in general, but to the calling of the Gentiles in particular.
Like David, our hearts should burn within us for the spread of the Gospel. Do you delight in God’s salvation when you hear of others coming to Christ? Christians too easily slip into a cold despondency when it comes to our responsibility to spread the Good News of Christ to all the world. We become preoccupied with our own concerns. We become discouraged when we do not witness true conversions to Christ, or we refuse to acknowledge the responsibility of the church to declare God’s truth to all people, calling them to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Sometimes we react to others in the church who are so consumed with evangelism that they neglect their responsibility to personal obedience and holiness before God. Some in the church are guilty of reacting to such people by forsaking evangelism altogether. Others use the excuse that if God has chosen who would be saved, we do not need to spread the Gospel. This, however, is in direct disobedience to Christ’s command that we go and make disciples of all nations.
The church must take seriously its responsibility to proclaim the Gospel, not for the glory of the church but for the glory of God. We should delight in the conversion of others just as the angels in heaven rejoice when one sinner repents (Luke 15:7). As the kingdom of God advances, praise is lifted to heaven from all ends of the earth, bringing glory to Jesus Christ our Lord.
What is your attitude toward evangelism? Do you pray for opportunities to be involved in this great work of the church? Think about reasons why you are not excited about or involved in evangelism? If you do not know how to proclaim the Gospel, ask someone in your church to help you.
