TLIC Psalms. September 1. The Rivers Clap, the Hills Sing.

Read Psalm 98:7-9. ⁷Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! ⁸Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together ⁹before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

First Christ comes – for he comes.

Then Christ will judge mankind – He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

Finally, creation is set free – Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together ⁹before the Lord.

This isn’t meant to be only poetry, but also prophecy. One day, at the return of Christ, the creation will end its groaning and begin its rejoicing. Romans 8 foresees the same glorious unfolding.

Romans 8:20-25. ²⁰For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope ²¹that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. ²²For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. ²³And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. ²⁴For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? ²⁵But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

These truths should feed our hope and our joy. If all nature will become a spectacle of worship, if rivers will clap and hills sing, then what will we become? What sort of experience of intoxicating praise will we have as part of the new creation?

To live is Christ is to live in future hope, a hope we do not yet see. Nature is subject to futility today, as are we. But not forever. A day is coming when we will both lead and join nature in the victory chorus of Christ our King.

Prayer. Jesus, make hope filled celebration a part of my daily devotion to you. I can’t wait for the day when all of creation finds its freedom in your justice. Amen.