“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord….” These are beautiful words to those who love God and country. Psalms 33:12 promises blessings to the nation that worships and serves God. Does this promise from the Old Testament still apply to our nations today? The answer is a resounding yes! God’s blessings are abundantly available to any nation, area, or individual that loves Him; but we need to understand the basis of this promise and what actions to take for these blessings to abound. Let’s examine Psalms 33:12 to see some spiritual truths that apply to God’s people today. Then we’ll identify believing action that we can take—action that will generate spiritual impact and bring God’s blessings upon our nations in our day and time.
Psalms 33:12:
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.
This wonderful promise of God is set in a context that magnifies God’s power. Psalm 33 begins by encouraging us to praise God, and then explains why.
Psalms 33:4-11:
For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth.
He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.
Let all the earth fear [respect] the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.
For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.
The Lord bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.
The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.
Verses 4 through 11 reveal the awesome power of God, Who has filled the earth with His goodness and Whose Word is right and stands forever. What a great context for the promise of verse 12. Then verses 13 through 15 remind us that God, Who formed, made, and created man, knows all and sees all.
Psalms 33:13-15:
The Lord looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.
From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.
He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.
The next two verses help us see that without God, all effort and show of strength are in vain.
Psalms 33:16 and 17:
There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.
Finally, verses 18 through 22 confirm that God watches over His people and will deliver all those who trust in Him.
Psalms 33:18-22:
Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear [respect] him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waiteth for the Lord: he is our help and our shield.
For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.
Let thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.
A nation having the power, protection, and resources of such an awesome God must surely be blessed! Now let’s examine Psalms 33:12 to see in more detail what is available for a nation in regard to God’s blessings. We will start at the beginning of the verse—“Blessed is the nation….”
First, we need to understand “nation” as it is used here. Today we often associate “nation” with a sovereign political entity or state, such as the United States of America or France. However, the focus of “nation” in this verse is not upon the political entity, but upon the people of the nation. Here the people referred to are the children of Israel.
Today in the Grace Administration, since God wants all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (I Timothy 2:4), no one is left out: anyone or any nation is eligible to receive God’s blessings.
With this understanding, let’s examine the word “blessed” in Psalms 33:12. It is the Hebrew word ashere, which has a broad meaning that can include being happy, very happy. This blessing is what God wants for us individually as well as for our nations. The Book of Psalms opens with this same Hebrew word and shows not only how an individual receives God’s blessing but some of its benefits.
Psalms 1:1-3:
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
Any person who avoids evil and who delights in and continually thinks and acts according to God’s Word shall be fruitful and prosper—they are blessed! And when a group of people, a nation, acts according to God’s Word, they are blessed….
This is an excerpt from the May/June 2012 issue of The Way Magazine.
Copyright© 2012 by The Way International. All rights reserved.
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