Be exalted, O God!

I've been spending some time in the psalms lately, and recently one passage really stirred me deeply: Psalm 57:7-11, ESV. Especially verse 7: "Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!" This, in one sentence, is the essence of salvation, and the essence of evangelism, and the essence of world missions: spreading a passion for the glory of God.

It's the essence of salvation, because by nature we don't glorify God as God. When we are born again by the Spirit of God, new passions and desires are born into our innermost being: and then we see things as they really are. This new source, or new 'impetus,' for God, is one indication of our being genuine sons of God.

It's the essence of evangelism because the heart of the gospel is to point people to the glory of God, to his goodness, his holiness, his enjoyable-ness (to make up a word). Praising God is preaching God, and 'faith comes by hearing.'

In the same way, it's the essence of global missions as well. Exalting Jesus before the nations, with the hope that they too will see his goodness, truth, and beauty, is the great commission.

Have you thought about the "glory of God covering the earth" lately? "I will sing and make melody! Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! ...I will sing praises to you among the nations."

This is the gospel. This is the source of joy, and this is the essence of the Great Commission.