A farmer owned an old donkey.  One day, while leaning in to get a drink, the donkey fell into the farmer’s well.  The farmer heard the donkey braying loudly and followed the sound to its source—and found the donkey standing at the bottom of the well.

After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the old donkey, but the well was deep, and there was no way to haul the donkey out of it.  The farmer called his neighbors and asked them to come give him a hand and to bring dirt and shovels.  The farmers came with dirt and shovels in their trucks.  The only thing they could think to do was to bury the old donkey in the well and put him out of his misery.  It w as a shame, but there was nothing else to be done.

As the farmers shoveled dirt into the well, the old donkey was hysterical!  The donkey brayed louder than ever when the dirt hit his back, but the farmers kept shoveling.  Then the farmers noticed what the donkey was doing.  Every time a shovel full of dirt landed on the donkey’s back, he brayed loudly—but then he would shake it off and step up!

As the dirt was shoveled down on top of him, the donkey continued.  The farmers and the old donkey got into a rhythm—the farmers would drop a shovel load of dirt down the well, and the donkey would shake it off and step up. No matter how heavy the dirt, or how distressing the situation seemed, the old donkey fought panic and just kept shaking it off and stepping up!

Finally, battered and exhausted, the old donkey stepped triumphantly over the wall of the well!  What seemed like it would bury him actually  helped him...all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity.  Instead of letting it bury him, the dirt became his road to freedom.

That’s life!  If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness or self-pity, then the adversities that seem to bury us usually have with time the very real potential to help us. Got troubles?  Shake them off and step up!

          — Via Crieve Hall, Nashville
 
 

The chart at the end of this article illustrates the structure of this short psalm.  The goal of it is in the middle verse: harmony between God and the nations.  There are two things that lead to the accomplishment of the goal.  They are: 

Praise from the people to God (67:3,5).
Blessings from God to the people (67:1,2,6,7).

The approach that I am taking in this study is to look at the seven verses in order, then to read the text, and finally to see how all of this fits into the structure of Psalm 67 (illustrated by the chart).

Verse 1: The author addresses GOD (Jehovah) with the desire for the following things—mercy, blessing, and the shining of God’s face.  “Mercy” is also “be gracious” (Numbers 6:24-26).  Mercy “unto us” implies the need for it to continue upon us.  “Blessing” refers the gifts from God that sustain us physically and spiritually.  Having His face to shine upon us implies His approval of our lives, and the fellowship He has with the faithful.

Verse 2: Here we have the use of one of the frequent messages of the Psalms.  He knows that God wants all people everywhere to know Him.  This is for their good and for His glory (Matthew 5:16; Deuteronomy 10:12-22).

Verse 3: It is here that we encounter one half of the title that we have given to this psalm:  “Let us….”  The people—all the people—should praise Him.  This praise not only comes from those who have received His blessings; it also is necessary in order to continue receiving them.

Verse 4: This is the focal point of Psalm 67.  It presents the goal of God—the happiness of all of those who have been created in His image.  And it presents the proof of its possibility—He is able to judge and govern all people righteously.  It is no wonder, then, that He was grieved (and angry) when a small group rejected His kingship, desiring one of their own to be king (1 Samuel 8; Hosea 13:11).  The word for “govern” in this verse means, “to lead.”  Oh, how much better off all of us would be if we would submit to the leadership of Jehovah!

Verse 5: This is the same as verse 3.  The repetition of the sentiment not only emphasizes the benefit of praising Him; it also helps us to focus again on verse 4 as the goal of the God Who deserves this praise.

Verse 6: This begins the section of the psalm that is similar in thought with verses 1,2.  It also introduces the rest of our title: “then shall…”.  If we praise Him in His Own appointed way, “He shall”—that is, He shall bless us with that which meets all of our needs in this life.  He is able to provide the blessings: the perfect mix of physical blessings and spiritual blessings.

Verse 7: The final statement of Psalm 67 refers again to the whole earth.  How could any psalm be more full of implications about the need to be evangelistic?  God’s desire for all to know Him and have His face to shine upon them is not limited to the New Testament!  Let us resolve to be far better at telling the whole world about Him than those who lived in most Old Testament stories.

Now let us read Psalm 67 (in the New King James Version):

Finally, please think about the message of our study in light of the following chart.

— Skip Andrews
 

SYMPATHY:  We offer our sincere sympathy to the family of Dennis Clark.  His father, Earl Clark, passed away last week.  Our prayers are with them during this time of loss.
 
GROUPS:  Group 1 is in charge of the services at Plantation South at 1:30.  Also, please meet up front following evening services for visitation assignments.  Group 3 is in charge of the service at Gwinnett Extended Care at 2:00.
CHILDREN’S CLASS:  5:30 today.
LADIES’ CLASS:  Tuesday at 10:00. 
FOR THE RECORD: 
AM Class                  119
AM Worship             142
PM Worship              118
Wednesday Class      111
Contribution     $5687
Budget             $6500
SIGN-UP SHEET FOR HOUSING:  There is a sign-up sheet on the bulletin board in the foyer for those who are willing to keep our guests for the Mission Forum in November.  Please consider this great opportunity and sign up as soon as possible to help us make our plans.
GOSPEL MEETING:  Our gospel meeting with James Rogers will begin October 15.  Please remember to pray for this effort.  There are announcements in the foyer you may use to invite your friends.
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