What Nation?

What joy for the nation whose God is the LORD, whose people he has chosen as his inheritance. [Psalm 33.12]

What nation?

I just realized today that perhaps the Psalmist was not talking about geography here. Nor do I think he was talking about race. What the Psalmist was recognizing was the nation that is comprised purely of God's people - exclusively the people who genuinely look to Yahweh God. These people, though scattered across geography and time, are a nation unto God. These people are part of a Kingdom without the boundaries of time or space - a Kingdom centered around the Word of God as presented in various languages to diverse groups of people since time began, but interpreted in singular timeless meaning by the Holy Spirit.

The anthem of the nation whose God is the LORD is not complex - the main verses are easily recognized: 

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [John 3.16]

It was also written that this message would be proclaimed in the authority of his name to all the nations, beginning in Jerusalem: ‘There is forgiveness of sins for all who repent.’ [Luke 24.47]

The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. [2 Peter 3.9]

And, there are many other verses built around the singular theme of God's love and redemption that represent the nation of those whose God is the LORD. 

The message however is different for the nation whose god is not the LORD. There is neither love nor redemption but instead "weeping and gnashing of teeth." Like the nation whose God is the LORD, the nation whose god is not the LORD is also limited to neither time nor space. Both nations are eternal but citizenship is determined only in a short period of time. That period of time is "life as each individual knows it." The determination of citizenship is based entirely upon each citizen's response to God's Redemption - the Way, Truth, and Life provided by God's Messiah, Jesus (looked forward to in faith in Old Testament times and looked back upon in faith ever since).

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. [John 14.6]

In this way, God's plan is simple. Citizenship in God's nation is not complicated. However, it is not without cost.

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Mark 8.34]

The eternal nation each of us is a citizen of is determined only while we occupy the time and space of human existence on earth.

To what nation do you belong?

Father, help me to realize the opportunity that lies before me each and every day to experience the "joy" referred to in Psalm 33.12. May my citizenship in the nation whose God is the LORD be decided undeniably!