Read Psalm 98.
I have always been confused by political groupies. Of course, I’m not referring to anyone and everyone who takes an interest in politics. No, I am referring to the radical supporters you see from time to time who wear sequined sports coats, face paint and bedazzled top hats-- they look like they are at a U.S.A. themed St. Patrick’s Day parade, not a political meeting. You catch glimpses of them during election seasons, they are in the background at conventions and rallies and are occasionally interviewed by field reporters. When you do hear them talk, they seem to have no reservations about the candidate of their choosing, giving a full endorsement that borders on naivete. But the most amazing thing to me is the amount of HOPE and JOY they seem to have. You can hear it in their voice and how they talk about the future; you can see it in their facial expressions. They have a kind of energy that makes me a little envious actually. Because, I don’t know if I have ever felt such a confidence in anything, ever, that is akin to what they seem to have in the politico they are supporting. They have found something to cling to, to hold on to, and they are placing their full trust in it-- and it shows.
What in the world does this have to do with Psalm 98?
The entire psalm is a celebration of joy in the hope that the Lord “comes to judge the earth.” That “He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity” (v.9). The Psalm even makes the astounding claim that creation itself is in on the celebration-- that the seas and the rivers and the hills will celebrate at the coming of the one true, righteous King.
Do you remember what Jesus told his disciples after he rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, as the people threw down palm leaves and cried out “Hosanna! Hosanna!” He said, if they had been quiet, then the stones would have cried out-- because, in one sense, creation itself understands better than we do, just exactly what is going on in the story of God that gives us so much cause to celebrate.
But if you and I were to take our cues from Psalm 98, we would end up looking a lot like the political groupies I mentioned earlier. If (and this is a big if), we truly believed that the Lord is a good King (v.6), that he has and will continue to do marvelous things (v.1), that he brings forth salvation (v.2), that his judgement is righteous (v.9), what other recourse would we have but to then celebrate with a new song (v.1), break out in joyful praise (v.4), and take up our trumpet and follow our King? (v.6)
So today I invite you to reflect on Psalm 98. How does the judgment of a righteous King translate to joy in your life… right now, today? Could it be a lack of belief in the goodness of God that is inhibiting your joy at His coming?
This week I invite you to take your cues from the exuberant joy found in Psalm 98. And as you sing, and celebrate, and make a joyful ruckus, the world may scoff (even other believers may scoff), and that’s ok! Like David (who probably wrote this psalm), or even the aforementioned political groupie, you can reply with a joyous, “I will celebrate before the Lord. Yes, and I am willing to look even more foolish than this, even to be humiliated in my own eyes!” (2 Sam. 6:21)
--Chaz Holsomback