Thought for the Lord’s Day

 Shout for joy. It is a simple command. Note, however, that this command is given to all the earth.  There is a new song to be sung. God has brought salvation to those who don’t deserve it. This salvation rescues and restores those whom God has called. But the joy spreads to the seas, the  rivers and the mountains. 

This new song means new life for a world that is groaning under the weight of sin. Nature is not pristine and pure, as is commonly taught. It too has been polluted and stained by the sin of Adam. The new song brings the relief that was promised long ago. 

The Advent of Jesus Christ is why we shout for joy. We need fear justice no more. God’s son will judge the world in righteousness; people will be treated with equity. There is reason for hope.

Shout for joy!

Sing to the Lord a new song,
    for he has done marvelous things;
his right hand and his holy arm
    have worked salvation for him.

The Lord has made his salvation known
    and revealed his righteousness to the nations.

He has remembered his love
    and his faithfulness to Israel;
all the ends of the earth have seen
    the salvation of our God.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,
    burst into jubilant song with music;

make music to the Lord with the harp,
    with the harp and the sound of singing,

with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—
    shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

Let the sea resound, and everything in it,
    the world, and all who live in it.

Let the rivers clap their hands,
    let the mountains sing together for joy;

let them sing before the Lord,
    for he comes to judge the earth.
He will judge the world in righteousness
    and the peoples with equity.

Psalm 98