“Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!” – Psalm 57:5

This lament of David represents his heart as he is hiding in the cave from Saul. This verse is identical Psalm 108:5. Our Lord is already exalted, and the author prays his magnificence is recognized. With this, we desire for Yahweh to receive glory over all the earth in lands which know him and those who do not yet worship him. This verse is the heart and purpose of missions. Christ’s disciples desire to expand God’s glory throughout the lands. We go to all the tribes and tongues, so his glory can be expanded.

Nothing in this world is more significant than knowing God and loving his son. Poverty, justice, and health are all important to God and therefore should be important to us. But, nothing sits paramount to the nations hearing the name of Jesus. We go into the nations not to make friends or teach VBS. We go into the nations, so our Savior can be worshiped. Don Carson said, “Here David meditates not on God’s sovereign power, but on God’s sovereign importance. More important, for David, than whether or not he gets out of the cave, is that God be exalted above the heavens.”[1] We are to subjugate our personal wellbeing and interests bellow the glory of our Creator. We are commanded to go into the nations and make disciples and teach them. We do this so Jesus Christ can receive glory.

The heart and the center of missions is to bring greater glory to God. We leave our homes and sacrifice our comfort so more in the world can claim Christ as Lord and hail his name. Our missions calling takes a toll on us and our families, but nothing is more important to a Christian than expanding the glory of God. Give all so the Creator’s name is known in the nations.

[1] D. A. Carson, For the Love of God: A Daily Companion for Discovering the Riches of God’s Word., vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 1998), 25.