The Global Thread of God’s Big Story
Blessed to Be a Blessing: The Global Thread Through the Old Testament
The vision echoes throughout many Psalms by David and others: “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” — I Chronicles 16:24; “May God be gracious to us and bless us… that your ways may be known on earth and your salvation among all nations.” — Psalm 67:1–2
When Solomon dedicated the temple in Jerusalem, in the middle of his prayer for Israel, he prayed for the gentiles: “Hear from heaven… and do whatever the foreigner asks of you, so that all the peoples of the earth may know your name and fear you.” — 1 Kings 8:41–43
The prophets picked up the same theme:
In Isaiah 49:6, God declares: “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles so that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth.”
Micah looked forward to a day when peoples and nations would stream to the mountain of the Lord to learn his ways. — Micah 4:1–2
At the end of the Old Testament, God spoke through Malachi: “My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting of the sun…” — Malachi 1:11
From Abraham to David and Solomon, from the psalmist to the prophets, the message is remarkably consistent: God’s plan has always been for the nations.
A Sober Warning: When God’s People Lose Sight of Their Calling
During Solomon’s reign, Israel was a light to the Gentiles. Yet too often, they took pride in being God’s chosen people while showing little concern for those outside their community.
Jonah may be the clearest example. God sent him to Nineveh, but he wanted nothing to do with the people he considered enemies. Even when the city turned to God, Jonah was resentful rather than rejoicing.
Worse, instead of bringing the knowledge of God to surrounding nations, Israel repeatedly followed their idols and sinful ways.
God sent prophet after prophet to call his people back, but they were ignored, rejected, and sometimes killed. Eventually, the northern kingdom fell to Assyria. In 586 BC, Jerusalem was destroyed, and Judah was exiled to Babylon. The kingdom established by David and Solomon came to an end.
Romans 11 reminds us that God has not abandoned Israel and points to restoration. Yet Israel’s history offers us a sober warning: God blesses us and invites us to join him. But his plan does not depend on any individual, church, or organization. If we become too comfortable, distracted, or inward-looking, he can raise up others.
His purpose will be accomplished. We are the ones who can lose the privilege of being part of it.
The Story Comes Into Focus
Israel failed—but God’s plan did not. Through one descendant of Abraham, Jesus of Nazareth, God’s promise drew nearer fulfillment. Jesus described a kingdom in which “People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.” — Luke 13:29
Two days before the cross, in Matthew 24:2–14, Jesus gave his disciples a sobering picture of history: wars and rumors of wars, nations against nations, famines, earthquakes, deception, and increasing wickedness. He warned that the love of many would grow cold.
Two thousand years later, those words can sound like our daily headlines. It is easy to become discouraged, cynical—or simply numb. But Jesus also gave an extraordinary promise: “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.” — Matthew 24:14
The world may look chaotic from our vantage point, but God has not lost control of the story. His plan will not fail.
After his resurrection, Jesus invited his followers to join that plan: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations…” — Matthew 28:19
Before his ascension, he said: “…you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” — Acts 1:8
The Great Commission continues the promise God made to Abraham thousands of years earlier.
We Know How the Story Ends
In Revelation 7:9–10, the Apostle John is given a glimpse of where history is headed: “Before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb…”
The story begins with God calling one man, Abraham: “All peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” It ends with people from every nation, tribe, people, and language standing before God’s throne.
Everything in between unfolds that promise. That is the global thread of God’s big story.
So Where Does My Little Story Fit?
This is a personal question we must answer for ourselves.
The answer will look different for each of us. God may place us in medicine, business, technology, education, government, ministry—or in places we never expected. He may send us across the world or ask us to serve the people already around us.
Since Abraham’s time, God has called men and women in every generation to join him in his story. He blesses us with abilities, education, careers, relationships, resources, and opportunities—not simply for ourselves or our families, but so others may receive his blessing through us.
We Are Blessed to Be a Blessing
Discovering our purpose begins when we stop asking God to fit into our plans—and start exploring where we fit within his.
The important question isn’t what I want to accomplish with my life.
It is: God, what are you doing in the world—and how can I join you?