Read: Psalm 98
Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises! (v. 4)
Every year at Christmas, we sing the lyrics “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!” Two thousand years after Jesus’s birth, the promise of joy can feel hazy—the world is just as full of conflict and injustice as it was when Jesus was born.
Isaac Watts, who composed “Joy to the World,” was inspired by Psalm 98. This psalm urges our worship: “Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!” (v. 4). In the last verse, the psalmist gives the reason for the joy promised, quoting verse 9: “for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.” It points us to the end time when Jesus will return to judge and rule. Then, joy will fully be accomplished. Those who suffered and died for righteousness will be vindicated and rewarded.
We do see joy among those who choose to follow Jesus. And believers live out that joy when they share it with unreached people. We hope and await when the gospel is preached to the whole world, and all have this opportunity to choose joy (Matt. 24:14). Then, Jesus will return to complete it.
The joy of Christmas, therefore, is not only of Jesus’s coming and finishing his mission on the cross but also a celebration of the hope in his second coming. He will come to judge and reign with righteousness.
As you pray, thank God for the joy that Jesus brings, now and when he returns again.
About the Author
Words of Hope’s South Asia Ministry field leader is based in India and works with more than 70 team members sharing the hope of the gospel in more than 20 languages. Because of security concerns, we have chosen not to share his name.
