God Promises Joy to the World

Psalms 98:7-9 Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. 8 Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; 9 let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.
 
“JOY to the world, the LORD is come. Let earth receive her king” (Isaac Watts, Joy to the World) From this psalm of praise comes the famous hymn, Joy to the World, almost exclusively sung at Christmas.
   But the song and the psalm is  much more than a hymn celebrating Christ’s first advent. It is a song that joyfully anticipates Jesus’ second advent – his second and final coming to earth. Indeed, it’s a wonderful song to sing anytime of year to help you reflect on and rejoice in the glory of God’s promise to bring eternal joy to the world. You can call it a Kingdom of God hymn that anticipates the earth and all who are in it celebrating Jesus’ return for his eternal reign.  
   Why the joy? It is the essence of Jesus Over You. Joy is a deep, soul-based happiness that extends far beyond a fleeting emotion. Joy is a powerful fruit of the Spirit. Joy comes from a complete trust that you are in Christ, and he is in you. The absolute conviction of this truth raises your heart to a profound sense of love for God in all situations. You react to adversity with faith the Spirit will take you through. You respond to God’s blessings with the knowledge they are exceptional gifts from heaven into your life. All you are comes from God. All you will become is in God.
   The true Kingdom of Heaven on earth is ultimate joy. When Jesus comes, heaven and nature will sing in a reflection of the glory that shone over Bethlehem at Jesus’ first coming. Luke 2:13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.” Yes, joy to the world, God has chosen to rest his favor upon countless multitudes of people who will be singing, “Joy to the world, the LORD is come!” They will rejoice in the full knowledge the Lord Jesus, Savior and Redeemer of mankind is among them. He is seated on his throne for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.
   You can thank God for Jesus’ equity – his fairness in his judgments. Would you joyfully anticipate a harsh or soft ruler? Would you be excited if your king was unfair, full of greed and self-interest? You can thank God “He rules the world with truth and grace.” (from Joy to the Word).
   Revelation describes his eternal fair rule over the earth. Jesus will fairly destroy evil. He will fairly provide an eternal home for his own. God wants you to live a faithful life under Jesus’ lordship. God wants your joyful heart to sing his praises. He rules fairly to help you prepare for his return. May you live with a complete trust that you are in Christ, knowing Jesus is Over You now and forever with truth and fairness.
 
Joy to the world, the Lord is come
Let Earth receive her King
Let every heart prepare Him room
And Heaven and nature sing.