If I’m picking up what the songwriter’s laying down — if I’m getting what the Spirit’s saying — then, if you wanna change the world, start by focusing on the church. As I hover over the first two verses of Psalm 67 this morning, I’m seeing that a flourishing church is a fruitful church, not necessarily because of the effort it puts forth but — and perhaps most importantly — because of the favor it flourishes under.

May God be gracious to us and bless us
       and make His face to shine upon us,           Selah
that Your way may be known on earth,
       Your saving power among all nations.

(Psalm 67:1-2 ESV)

The song begins with the application of an ancient text. Starts with a plea that a blessing commissioned by God’s prophet (Num. 6:24-26) would be a reality known by God’s people. That words intended by God to “put His name” upon them (Num. 6:27) would, in reality, be a blessing that would actually cover them.

But while the elements of the blessing are recognizable, the order of them has been changed up. And, I’m thinking, there’s something to chew on there.

May God be gracious to us . . . that’s where it starts.

If God’s people want to be a people who desire that God’s way may be known on the earth, if they want to be a magnifying glass which brings into view God’s saving power among all nations, then it starts with may God be gracious to us. It’s not going to be our goodness that makes Him known, but His grace.

Oh sure, we should be getting “good-er.” As the redeemed, we’re no longer slaves to sin. But there’s still something in us, even after decades of pilgrimage towards the promised land, which rears its ugly head and tries to turn us back to Egypt. Something in us which, though we know we are to be not like the nations around us, tempts us to worldly wishes and fleshly ways. There’s still something which, if we’re honest with ourselves, and repentant before our God, must cry out, “God be gracious to us!” And far from that something being our kryptonite, it’s actually our superpower.

A people which daily knows God’s grace are a people primed to daily reflect God’s grace. To the measure we experience afresh undeserved favor, so will be the measure to which we exhibit anew inexplicable flourishing — reflecting love, joy, peace, and patience regardless of the circumstance; kindness, goodness, and faithfulness in and out of season; gentleness and self-control even when the world around us is callous and harsh, agitated and chaotic. God be gracious to us . . . that Your way may be known on earth, Your saving power among the nations.

We need grace. And there’s no grace needed where there’s no sin present. If we’re not confessing, then how much are we receiving? If we’re not repenting and being forgiven, then what are we making known about God’s saving power?

May God be gracious to us . . .

Flourishing is found through favor.

Favor, only because of God’s grace.

Flourishing, only for God’s glory.