Let the sea roar, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell in it; let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills be joyful together before the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth. with righteousness He shall judge the world, and the peoples with equity. (Psalm 98:7-9)
This psalm ends on a glorious note — along with so many of the other psalms, it looks toward the time when the King of Kings will rule and reign over the earth. As the world moves ever closer to this era of peace, prosperity and justice, the psalmist encourages us, along with nature, to celebrate His coming. It will be a time when mankind recognizes that all of God’s judgments were executed with justice and fairness. No longer will we be required to serve God with blind faith but righteousness will be made manifest for all mankind to behold.
While we long for this monumental day, we mustn’t ignore that we have a duty to uphold in anticipation of the King’s return. Consider that “creation groans and labors with birth pangs” in expectation of the Lord’s coming (Romans 8:22), which is to say that nature is exhibiting signs that it is preparing for His return. Likewise, we should be preparing as well. We should be examining our life and doing what must be done to ensure that we are ready to meet the King. As we make ourselves ready, we are to encourage others to prepare for what is about to happen; as it is written, “Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God … The crooked places shall be made straight and the rough places smooth” (Isaiah 40:3-4).
In short, we must continue to be about our Father’s business while the Master is away. Using the gifts and talents He has entrusted to us, we must do the work of the Kingdom. We are to diligently multiply that which He has given us to work with so that we fulfill our part in advancing the Kingdom. When He comes, all of us want to hear Him say, “Well done,” and so, we must to occupy until that day — not until it looks like He is about to come but right up until that very moment when we see Him face to face. Even though we live in the midst of a wicked world, we have something to be excited and hopeful about — our King is coming to judge the earth. So in concert with creation, let us clap our hands and be joyful because righteousness, truth and justice is being restored.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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