“The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice. Clouds and thick darkness surround Him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne.” (Psalm 97:1,2)
Have you noticed how modern TV shows try to draw us in using the psychology of the “big reveal”? It’s usually a cliffhanger that baits us into watching the next episode because we long to know how the story ends!
Today’s Epiphany reading sets the scene for God’s reign as king. The Theophany (appearance of God) in the first half of Psalm 97 is full of earth-shattering cosmic power, drawing on the imagery of the “Shekinah” — the cloud of God’s almighty presence from Exodus and the final reign of justice and righteousness, and this sense of finally “setting things right”.
As time goes by in this 21st century, and as I watch tragic world events unfold, I sometimes feel like I’m in a cosmic reality TV show, waiting desperately for the innocent to be freed and restored and for the villains to be defeated and locked away for eternity. As the exiled people of God scattered among the Babylonian Empire sang this psalm, they, too, longed for the Messianic era — their restoration, God’s kingdom to finally come, and for things to be set right.
As I write this, I’m lying here bedridden, so tired of fighting the debilitating chronic pain that has robbed me of so much in this life. I long for restoration! For the new era to come. For God to restore me and set things right. But although I’m weary and broken, I’m not giving up. I will keep singing and longing for the final curtain call: The Son of God coming again in glory and setting things right in this world.
So, to you who are in Christ’s righteousness and are suffering hardship, grief or loss, may these words be your song for today: Light shines on the righteous and joy on the upright in heart. Rejoice in the Lord, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name (Psalm 97:11,12).
Prayer
Almighty God, Lord of the heavens and the earth, we long for things to be made right. Lord Jesus, we long for You to come again in glory to restore our world and restore our lives. Stir our hearts, Holy Spirit, to sing praise and bring your light to the dark places of this world. Come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen.
Stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
