Read Psalm 96:10-13. 10Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.” 11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; 12let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy 13before the Lord, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.
The psalm now becomes prophetic as it envisions the great Day of the Lord, that day when Christ will return to rule and reign in justice over all the Earth. And the Earth will rejoice. Literally. The sky, the sea, the field, the trees. Each will sing in four-part harmony as all that they have been groaning for comes to pass. Redemption, regeneration, revitalization.
How much more so will this be a great day for humanity. God’s government will be established on planet Earth. God’s judgment will come through the Son’s imposed equity on all who by faith trust in his own judgment on the cross. Righteousness and faithfulness will finally find their place among us. We will finally come to believe that these are not the enemies of joy but the bringers of it.
Until this great and glorious day, we can begin to get ready for it. How? By believing, declaring, and living out the Lord reigns. In Christ this is not only a future prophecy to look forward to, but also a present reality to embrace.
To live is Christ is to look forward to the Day of the Lord with great anticipation – come quickly Lord Jesus! But it is also to live each moment under the reign of Christ in our hearts as we make his righteousness and faithfulness known to the world in every word and in every deed.
You: Are you looking forward to Christ’s return? Why or why not?
You in Christ: How does our union with Christ allow us to live like Jesus is already reigning in us (he is)?
Christ in you: What might be different if you allow Jesus to rule through you today?
Pray: Jesus, I look forward to the day you return to reign on Earth, making all things new. But I also look forward to how you will reign in my heart today as I am used by you to bring your newness to the world around me. Amen.
To Live is Christ 