The Gospel to the Nations

(Note: St. Augustine is famous for writing a book called “The Confessions,” which was written completely as a prayer to God. In the same spirit, I plan to write these posts as a prayer to God.)

“I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”” (Psalm 2:7–9, ESV)

“You are my Son; today I have begotten you” 

Heavenly Father, I give you thanks for sending your son into the world. I thank you he was miraculously born of a virgin. I thank you he took on our human nature, becoming like us in every way, so he could be the perfect substitute for us.

Father, I thank you that Jesus took my place and died the death I deserved. I thank you that Jesus lived the perfect life I could never live. I thank you that Jesus rose again from the dead. I thank you for using Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection to bring about my salvation through faith—not by my own works. Father, I could have never saved myself, but you did what I could never do and saved me. Thank you.  

“Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.” 

Father, this is an incredible promise for me to grasp. You didn’t just send your Son into the world to save me—or even a small group of people—but you told him you would give him the nations—the ends of the earth! What an amazing promise, Father! Your salvation is so much greater than I often think or imagine. I give you praise and glory! 

Father, also help me remember this. Help me remember that you gave your Son all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). Father use me to proclaim that to the ends of the earth. Father, use me to make disciples of all the nations. Use me to baptize them. Use me to teach them everything you’ve commanded. Use me to remind them that you will be with them to the very end of this age. 

Father, I continue to long for—and ask for—your kingdom to come and your will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

“You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” 

Yet, Father, not all acknowledge your Son as the King of Kings. Not all acknowledge his power and authority over heaven and earth. Father, I ask that you would open their eyes and hearts to receive your Gospel of salvation. That way they will not be broken to pieces. That way they will not receive the wrath and judgement they deserve. Help them see that if they turn to your Son in faith, the punishment they deserve will fall on your Son, not on them. 

Father, remind me of this truth. Remind me of the punishment that I deserve. Because of my sin and my hardness of heart, I deserve to fall under your punishment. I deserve to be broken with a rod of iron and dashed to pieces like a potter’s vessel. Yet, your Son broken in my place. Your Son was dashed to pieces for me. What an amazing salvation! What an amazing promise! 

Father, don’t let me take this salvation for granted. Don’t let me forget the extraordinary price your Son paid for me. Stir my heart to worship and obedience through this truth. Stir my heart to proclaim this truth to the rest of the world. May the nations turn to you. May your gospel spread to the ends of the earth. May your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.