Sunday, December 20, 2020

Advent Candle #4: Wonder at His Love


LEFC Family Advent Readings: Let Earth Receive Her King!
Psalm 98 :: December 20, 2020
Week #4: Wonder at His Love

“Advent” means “coming.” Christmas is coming. Jesus has come and is coming again.

Our Advent readings this year have explored Psalm 98, the scriptural inspiration for Isaac Watts’ beloved Christmas carol, “Joy to the World.” 

Psalm 98 is a victory song that joyfully celebrates the marvelous things that the Lord has done in the past and will do in the future when Christ comes again.

Our first candle was a candle of preparation.

[LIGHT FIRST CANDLE AGAIN.]

Just as we are all preparing for the coming of Christmas, we should be preparing room in our hearts for the coming of Christ. Psalm 98 invites us to ready ourselves for His return.
                
[LIGHT SECOND CANDLE AGAIN.]

Our second candle was a candle of celebration. The coming of the Messiah is worthy of the resounding exultation of the whole creation. Heaven and nature will sing!

[LIGHT THIRD CANDLE AGAIN.]

Our third candle was a candle of anticipation. Psalm 98 thrills our hearts with a glorious picture of an entire globe no longer marred by the ravages of sin and sorrow. Our Lord’s blessings will flow as far as the curse is found.

[LIGHT FOURTH CANDLE.]

Our fourth candle is a candle of reflection. Psalm 98 sings a song of salvation that stems from the Lord’s perfect love and faithfulness. Psalm 98 also sings a song of expectation of the Lord’s righteous judgment of the world. These diverse aspects of the Lord’s character exist in perfect harmony within His heart and are seen in all of His works forever.

[READ PSALM 98:2-3 and PSALM 98:9.]

Psalm 98 invites us to reflect on the perfections of the Lord. We should marvel at His absolute righteousness and His faithful, merciful, steadfast love.

“He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness,
And wonders of his love!”

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