He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders wonders of His love
Joy to the World 1719
By: Isaac Watts (1674 – 1748)
Listen to this modern acapella version of this carol as you prepare to ponder the lyrics. Please make certain to enjoy the video below.
Please make certain to enjoy the podcast below.
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Everyone enjoy this podcast and transcript below! It features meditative music and moments to contemplate the Scriptures and reflections shared.
Transcript may be found below, at the end of the blog.
As we conclude our journey through this carol in which we call the world to sing with joy, how will you find your place in the song? Let’s think about this.
Singing Trees
There is Scripture that speaks of the trees of the field clapping their hands, Isaiah 55:12. When the wind rushes violently through the branches it can soon like applause. That has never been difficult for me to conceptualize. Clapping trees.
But singing trees!?! That is a whole different matter.
Then there is this interesting thought of trees clapping because they are witnessing something happening, like a spectator at an event. But the trees in the verse are singing, like they are the performers. Really though, even the singing trees are responding, here to the coming of the Lord to judge the earth.
The glories of His righteousness
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before 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. Psalm 96:12b-13 ESV
The trees are going to help the nations prove the glories of His righteousness by singing for joy when He comes. Can you imagine what that is going to sound like? It makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up just thinking about it. I will sing now so I am ready when the trees do.
They will sing because there is a glory to His righteousness. We do not think about this much but we are dealing with One who eternally is without fault or blemish. He only does right. Though we know this is true it is difficult for our minds to comprehend, living in a world where wrong is so common.
RESONATE!
Take a few moments think about what singing trees will sound like. Will you be ready when the trees start to sing? Make this your simple prayer “Father, show us the glories of Your righteousness.”
Saving Tree
Now there are singing trees and there is a saving tree. Singing trees are pretty astounding. But the saving tree has no parallel.
God has shown us His love in a myriad of ways, but nowhere else like on that tree at Calvary. The beauty of a sunset, God’s love. The kindness of a friend, God’s love. The mercy of not receiving what we have earned, GOD’S LOVE!
And wonders wonders of His love
Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. Psalm 17:7 ESV
We have seen the wonders of His love, even in our fallen world, yet we still long for the people of every tribe and tongue to see them as well. One day the nations will sing with us. Let’s do everything we can to help them understand that now and usher in the joy!
And His rightness required that He make a way to deal with our wrongness. His doing so through the sending of our Savior reveals the wonder of His love. While we were separated from Him He made a way for us to come back to Him through His sacrifice. What joy!
RESONATE!
Take a few moments and reflect on the wonders of His love, ways both great and small He has shown you His steadfast love. What has prompted you to seek refuge at His right hand? Simply ask Him “Jesus, show us the wonders of Your love.“
Jesus, thank You for the glories of Your righteousness and the wonder of Your love. I want to sing of them all the days of my life, even eternally. Help me to daily lift my voice in praise. In Jesus name. Amen.
Tree-mendous Thinking!
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Podcast 47.4 Transcript
Welcome to Thursday Thoughts at Resonant 7, where we reflect on the reality of God and resolve to let it resound in our lives, repeatedly. Let’s think about this.
He rules the world with truth and grace
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth…For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. John 1:14, 17 ESV
Effectively grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. He is full of grace and truth and so He rules the world from that position. He came and dwelt among us and will return to complete the work of redemption that His work on the cross accomplished. Hallelujah!
And makes the nations prove
…I will vindicate the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Lord God, when through you I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. Ezekiel 36:23 ESV
Vindication is proving that something is right. This verse inspires this line by taking the words of the Lord and declaring what He will in fact do just that. He is holy and great. His rule will establish and prove those things among all the nations of the world.
The glories of His righteousness
Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy before 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. Psalm 96:12b-13 ESV
The trees are going to help the nations prove the glories of His righteousness by singing for joy when He comes. Can you imagine what that is going to sound like? It makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up just thinking about it. I will sing now so I am ready when the trees do.
And wonders wonders of His love
Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand. Psalm 17:7 ESV
We have seen the wonders of His love, even in our fallen world, yet we still long for the people of every tribe and tongue to see them as well. One day the nations will sing with us. Let’s do everything we can to help them understand that now and usher in the joy!
Take a few moments to talk to Jesus about what has come to your mind, or listen to what He is saying to you, then I will read our text once more, with the refrain.
He rules the world with truth and grace
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness
And wonders of His love
And wonders of His love
And wonders wonders of His love
Take the mindfulness of God’s presence cultivated in these last few minutes into the next ones and beyond. Until next time, Be Resonant.
The post Tree-mendous Righteousness and Love appeared first on Resonant 7.
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