God is the Victorious Ruler
Psalm 98
A Psalm.
1 O sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvellous things.
His right hand and his holy arm have gained him victory.
2 The Lord has made known his victory;
he has revealed his vindication in the sight of the nations.
3 He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness
to the house of Israel.
All the ends of the earth have seen the victory of our God.
4 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth;
break forth into joyous song and sing praises.
5 Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre,
with the lyre and the sound of melody.
6 With trumpets and the sound of the horn
make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord.
7 Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;
the world and those who live in it.
8 Let the floods clap their hands; let the hills sing together for joy
9 at the presence of the Lord, for he is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the world with righteousness,
and the peoples with equity.
This is the sixth psalm in a row that touches on God as King, Ruler, or Victor – who brings justice and equity to the earth. This truth is easy to forget in the mist of life, and we are being reminded again and again – because we need reminding.
At the end of time the last headline ever written will read “God wins.” At present a struggle is going on between the forces of good and the forces of evil, the forces of hope and health and the forces of destruction and devastation.
The battle is being waged in the obvious places such as Iran where violence and terror are being used against unarmed civilians, or in Myanmar where villages are frequently burned to the ground in a process of forced relocation. The battle is being waged in less obvious places as when people show care and compassion to those who the community regards as outsiders, or when living with integrity leads to being criticized and ridiculed and worse.
In the midst of the struggle the outcome feels uncertain, anxiety and worry seep in and we begin to doubt if victory is certain. But this psalm declares that victory is certain, God will win over the forces of evil and destruction. The powers of sin and death and hell do not win the final victory. The invitation is not only to believe that in our heads, but to know that in our hearts – to live our lives in the certainty that the anxieties of the present will pass away, for God’s kingdom is on its way. Therefore, we rejoice in hope.
PRAYER:
Lord God, you are the Ruler over all things, the One who in the end will reign victorious. Open our eyes to see beyond the present uncertainties and anxieties to the certainty of your kingdom and its coming to our world. Cause us to the live in hope and joy that your reign will be fully revealed. In Jesus’ name. Amen.