Have you ever stopped to think about how much the Lord has done? We’ve just celebrated Christmas, when the Lord was miraculously born to human parents. We marvel at the humble birth yet realize there is nothing humble about the majesty of God breaking out of heaven and into humanity.
I ponder the lyrics of one of the songs we do at youth group. We do it in Spanish, but it was originally written in English by Elevation Worship called “Same God.” It’s a great song to remember all the victories our Lord has accomplished and stand amazed that he continues those victories all around us. It’s powerful to imagine the God we cry out to is the same God with David facing Goliath, with Moses parting the sea, and with Mary as she heard the news of her future.
The psalmist exalts God in such a beautiful tribute to what God has accomplished and will still complete. The Bible is full of examples of how God shows up victoriously. His greatest victory to date is when he defeated death and left an empty tomb. Each daily victory is how God draws us into his righteousness. It’s available for every nation. Sadly, most will miss out on God’s provision of love and faithfulness, originally set aside for his people, Israel.
We are part of that inheritance thanks to Jesus and what he accomplished. You may recall that truth from our last reading in John 1:12-13. “But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. They are reborn—not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God.” Our part is to believe and accept Jesus as our Messiah. God does the rest.
We’re also told how we can respond. “Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy!” When is the last time you spontaneously broke out into song or turned on worship music, giving God your praise? He is worthy of our honor and praise just because of who He is.
The psalm closes with more directions for being ready given to the sea, the earth, the rivers, and the hills. Each instruction concludes with this reason: “for he is coming to judge the earth.” We, too, should be getting ourselves ready for that coming judgment day. It’s nothing to fear, according to this psalm of praise.
What will God find when he comes to judge the earth? We’d know how to answer that if he came tomorrow. The world is crumbling, people are mumbling, and not all knees would be bowing. But if we still have more time, we can make a difference. We can do something to make this world more welcoming and ready to receive our victorious King. What is God calling you to do?
God’s justice and fairness may not look like we expect or even hope. But we can trust that how God handles things will be fair and just from his perspective of Biblical truth, the only response that matters. If that thought terrifies you, take that as a conviction to be more obedient to God’s will for you. He’s given you a mission to accomplish. Reflect today on what that might be and then take some baby steps to move in that direction.
Let’s pray … Lord, I am so in awe of you and what it must have been like to become human like us. I can barely wrap my head around that. You know our tendency toward weakness and distraction and love us still. Thank you for leaving your majestic throne. I praise you with everything that I have. You are my king and I look forward to seeing you face to face. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
