Many churches throughout the world use a Bible reading schedule called a "lectionary." It's just a fancy word meaning "selected readings." Posts like this reflect on the readings for an upcoming Sunday or other Church holiday, as found in the three-year lectionary.
Psalm 98 sets the stage for a wonderful celebration. God has given salvation and righteousness to the world. He shows his salvation to the entire earth. This is reason for great rejoicing. How great is the rejoicing? In verse four, all the earth makes a joyful noise. There is singing and playing of all sorts of instruments. Yet this is not limited to humans. In verses seven and eight all creation sings out to God - the sea, all that lives in the sea, and all the world, the rivers and the hills. All of God’s creation sings his praise.
Many in our world would wholeheartedly agree with this statement. I especially think of the followers of the religions indigenous to North America, where I live. All creation takes on important characteristics of life. It all sings and speaks together. There is, however, an important difference. The Psalmist observes that all the creation should sing praises to the LORD. It all points to one person, the creator, sustainer, and redeemer of it all. The created order is not an end in itself. It calls out in praise to someone outside of creation.
Why does creation sing? Because God himself, the LORD, JHWH, is going to judge rightly. Yes, there is judgment. It is good judgment. It is kind. Yet it is right. Does creation recognize its creator? We are greatly to be pitied if all creation sings out to the LORD and we find ourselves singing out to anything or anyone else. Rather, let us join in with all creation praising the one true God.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
Psalm 98 sets the stage for a wonderful celebration. God has given salvation and righteousness to the world. He shows his salvation to the entire earth. This is reason for great rejoicing. How great is the rejoicing? In verse four, all the earth makes a joyful noise. There is singing and playing of all sorts of instruments. Yet this is not limited to humans. In verses seven and eight all creation sings out to God - the sea, all that lives in the sea, and all the world, the rivers and the hills. All of God’s creation sings his praise.
Many in our world would wholeheartedly agree with this statement. I especially think of the followers of the religions indigenous to North America, where I live. All creation takes on important characteristics of life. It all sings and speaks together. There is, however, an important difference. The Psalmist observes that all the creation should sing praises to the LORD. It all points to one person, the creator, sustainer, and redeemer of it all. The created order is not an end in itself. It calls out in praise to someone outside of creation.
Why does creation sing? Because God himself, the LORD, JHWH, is going to judge rightly. Yes, there is judgment. It is good judgment. It is kind. Yet it is right. Does creation recognize its creator? We are greatly to be pitied if all creation sings out to the LORD and we find ourselves singing out to anything or anyone else. Rather, let us join in with all creation praising the one true God.
If this brief meditation was helpful to you, I hope you will check out the other materials on our website at www.WittenbergCoMo.com and consider supporting us.
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