What Does It Look Like When Heaven Touches Earth?
“Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord.” —Psalm 117:1–2
The Story
There are few things more profound—and more hopeful—than worshiping with the nations.
I still remember standing in a crowded room of college students from around the world, voices rising in different accents but one Spirit. The air pulsed with joy. Feet pounded. Hands lifted. Faces glowed. I caught a glimpse of heaven that day—not because heaven is endless singing, but because the pure, unrestrained love for Christ I saw will one day fill every heart and never fade.
“In God’s worship it is not always necessary to be long; few words sometimes say what is sufficient.” —Robert Dickson
Psalm 117 proves that. Two short verses. Infinite depth. Martin Luther once wrote thirty-six pages on this psalm alone.
In a world where Jews and Gentiles struggled to coexist, this psalm dared to declare that all nations would one day praise God together. It was prophetic—pointing to the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham that all peoples on earth would be blessed through him. Paul later quoted it in Romans 15:11 to show that Gentiles were always part of God’s redemptive plan.
And it was humbling—because no wall, no prejudice, no failure could silence the ḥesed (steadfast love) of God. The Hebrew repeats it twice—ḥesed ḥesed—as if to emphasize His mercy upon mercy, His covenant love that never quits.
Revelation
We’re standing in the same invitation today.
Every time we praise, we echo this ancient call for all nations to worship the living God.
Every act of worship becomes missionary. It widens our hearts for the world.
When we praise:
We join the mission. Worship sends us outward, not just upward.
We anchor in love and truth. His love compels us; His truth sustains us.
We learn simplicity. When words fail, pray: “Your love is great, and Your truth endures.”
When Worship Feels Hard
There are days I can’t lift my hands or find the words. Yet even then, He’s already there—inviting me again. Worship isn’t about feeling worthy; it’s about responding to His worth.
Maybe you’re there today. Ask Him to give you a fresh vision for the nations—faces you’ve never met singing the same Name that saved you—and let that vision stir your heart to praise.
Never Finished Challenge — Worship
Pray: “Father, give me a vision for the nations and a heart that burns for Your glory among all peoples.”
Practice: Spend five minutes today praising God out loud—no music, no agenda—just gratitude.
Pass it on: Pray for three nations or people groups that need to know His steadfast love.
Persist: When worship feels weak, remember—praise isn’t about how you feel; it’s about who He is.
What Does Today Say About God?
Magnificent.
There are no words strong enough for His goodness or His pursuit of us. He’s so far beyond comprehension that if we could fully grasp Him, we’d fall to the ground in holy awe.
And yet—He gives us His Spirit daily, shaping us into Christ’s likeness as we glimpse His glory in the ordinary.
What a Father.
What a Friend.
What a King.
Thank You, Jesus.