We’ve discussed several times in this series how the earth and all creation are groaning as it waits for its full redemption, for the return of the Creator. Psalm 96 gives us a glimpse into what that will be like as all the earth rejoices and the heavens are glad. Even the trees shout for joy because the Lord is coming to judge the earth.
 
It seems counterintuitive to place joy and judgment beside one another to some degree. We know human judgment can be biased, corrupt, and at a minimum, incomplete. But the text tells us something about the Judge that’s coming; He judges with righteousness and the peoples with His faithfulness. All His judgments are good because He is good.
 
While comfort to the hurting is vital and important, lasting healing takes more than comfort. Evil must be confronted, lies exposed, and oppression stopped. Everything crooked must be made straight. We don’t look forward to a day when the Lord simply overlooks everything that’s gone wrong; we hope in a time when the faithful and righteous King will actually put this world right.

This truth pierces the deep parts of our hearts. It’s easy to want justice for others while wanting mercy for ourselves when we stand exposed in the light of His righteousness. Sometimes the evil of this world can become so overwhelming that we quietly wonder whether anything will ever really change at all.
 
But Psalm 96 breaks through the veil of despair and doubt. We can embrace repentance because He is a righteous Judge. The coming King is good news for all of creation.

When you consider the judgment of God, does it instill fear, avoidance, or maybe hope or gratitude? Where do you need to trust that God’s faithfulness is better than your own desire to control outcomes?

Father, teach my fearful heart to trust Your judgment. Expose those things in me which need repentance, and give me grace when I want to hide. When the brokenness of the world feels overwhelming, remind my heart that You are faithful. Give me resolve to trust in your character and rejoice in the coming of the King. Amen.

“I can entrust what is wrong to God because He is __________________.”