Judges 8:1-17; Luke 23:13-25; Psalms 98:1-9; Proverbs 21:27
Psalms: “Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has performed wonders; his right hand and holy arm have won him victory. The Lord has made his victory known; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations. He has remembered his love and faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen our God’s victory. Let the whole earth shout to the Lord; be jubilant, shout for joy, and sing. Sing to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and melodious song. With trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn shout triumphantly in the presence of the Lord, our King. Let the sea and all that fills it, the world and those who live in it, resound. Let the rivers clap their hands; let the mountains shout together for joy before the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world righteously and the peoples fairly.” (Psalms 98:1-9 CSB)
On the night when Jesus was born, an angel appeared to shepherds in the field and said, “I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.” In Romans 8, Paul wrote, “For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to futility — not willingly, but because of him who subjected it — in the hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children.” (Romans 8:19-21 CSB) In Revelation 7, we see that at the end of the age, there will be a vast and innumerable gathering of people from every nation, tribe, people, and language that will sing of and celebrate God’s great salvation. When the Son of God came to earth, He lived a sinless life and then gave His life to pay for our sin. He defeated the power of sin, defeated the power of death, and made a way for us to be free from our sin and filled with His life. God’s plan of salvation is not just for a small remnant of people – it is a global plan for any and all who will believe the news and respond accordingly. Not everyone will accept God’s salvation, but it is offered to all. One day, when all have had the opportunity to hear and respond to God’s salvation message, The Son of God – the Lord our King, will come again to claim His kingship and establish His kingdom on earth. Then He will judge the world righteously and the peoples fairly… and all creation will be made new and given the same salvation as those who responded positively to the gospel. It is a good message. It is a glorious message. It is a global message. It is a joyous message. It is a message that I have responded to and experienced the effects of. It is a message that I have faith in, hope for, and eagerly expect. Joy to the world, the Lord has come. Let earth receive her King!
Jamie Hicks 