Psalm 98:9

Psalm 98:9

He is coming!

This verse is a summary of what has already been written, there is an anticipation in this Psalm of a Day of Justice and liberation for all of creation. Righteousness and truth will prevail, and the curses of the Garden of Eden will be lifted. Almost exactly the same words were used in Psalm 96:13 to describe this Day, the Day of the Lord, for He will come and right all wrongs and restore His Kingdom and His sovereign reign over all the earth. That is why creation must sing and shout and clap its hands, that is the time when the whole earth will resonate with His praises. And this is the point, while the world waits for that day, while creation anticipates its liberation, we who are already liberated need to get on with it! That is why our praises should be loud and expressive, they are essential to our witness and our existence. Let the church rise up and praise the Maker of heaven and earth, let the whole world take note that the Lord God is alive and well and dwelling amongst his Holy people. Let our celebrations be loud and engaging so that the festival-goers and the football crowds may know that the Lord reigns and that that He is coming to judge the world in righteousness. The best music should be His music. The loudest celebrations should be His celebrations. As Psalm 96:10 declares, “Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns.” The world is firmly established. It cannot be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity.” And if you cannot do it out loud and in the company of other believers, do it anyway! Hallelujah!

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Psalm 106:13

Psalm 106:13 Do not forget We need to remember that Israel’s relationship with the Lord God was based on His laws and their obedience. It was possible for them to live lives that were highly blessed, that incorporated the provision of God in every tiny detail of their national and individual existence. God was prepared to give them everything they needed, He would provide food and water for them and their flocks. He would guide them on their journey. He would protect them from their enemies. He would inspire and direct their leaders. He would keep them from the heat of the sun and the terrors of the desert night. He would take them to the land that He had promised, in double quick time. There was no reason why they could not be in situ in just a few months. Everything they could possibly need was His to provide and He was willing to sacrifice anything to see them gratefully settled in Canaan.  There was just one snag, it all depended upon their obedience and faithfulness. God insisted
Read more

Psalm 51:4

Psalm 51:4 Deliberate sin In Genesis 20 we read the story of Abimelek and Abraham. The latter had passed off his wife Sarah as his sister and Abimelek had taken her with a view to her becoming his wife. The relationship was not consummated, and the Lord used a dream to reveal to Abimelek just what was going on. The insulted king pleaded innocence,  “I have done this with a clear conscience and clean hands ” he said, to the Lord. And God agreed,  “Yes, I know you did this with a clear conscience, and so I have kept you from sinning against me.”  This is a big subject but there is clearly a difference between sinful intentions and deeds where the participant knows that he/she is doing wrong, and those occasions where an action is carried out in innocence.  David knew all along that every detail of his relationship with Bathsheba was sinful, as were his actions in the cover-up. Therefore, he sinned against the Lord God and broke the commandments which said that  “You shall not commit adul
Read more

Psalm 57:8

Psalm 57:8 Awake my soul! This verse calls on three different elements to wake up! It follows on from the previous statement that David intends to sing and make music. We can imagine him opening his eyes one morning and all is silent and dark. The first birds have not yet started to sing, and the eastern sky is not yet pink. In contrast to the days of despair and defeat David is ready for this day and he is going to celebrate. He may be living in a gloomy, dank cave but hope is at hand, God is with him and he will triumph over his enemies. Maybe some of his companions got a shock that morning as their leader launched his early morning praise assault on the kingdoms of darkness! ·        Awake my soul. ·        Awake, harp and lyre. ·        Awake – the dawn. Sometimes we have to address the inner man and let our minds take control of our emotions and our desires. The negatives can be defeated, the whispering doubts can be silenced, the tide of fear and trepidation can be driven back. A
Read more