Psalm 98: 7-9
Let the sea roar, and everything that fills it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands. Let the mountains sing for joy together before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with fairness.
Dear Heavenly Father,
We thank you for being a righteous judge over all people. We are all held responsible for what we have done. For those who refuse your love and say they can do it on their own, you honor their request; they continue to be accountable for all their sins even though you had already rendered your verdict against your Son, which was intended for us. Jesus said he did not come to judge the world but to save it.
Lord, you know our sinful natures and how we all fail to love you and others according to your standards, and all are equally guilty. However, we are not lost. Jesus came and lived the life of perfect love because we never get close to achieving it; he credits us with his perfection. Jesus went to the cross and suffered for the entire world’s sins, taking all our guilt and shame into himself. He has forgiven us for every sin we have ever done or will do. You ensured we are not alone in our sins; Jesus’ gift of righteousness and forgiveness comes to us through faith alone. Faith, your Spirit begins in us, which means we stop rejecting your love; your love is already there for us. Father, thank you for making our righteousness possible through Jesus, so may we also rejoice with the sea, the earth, the rivers, and the mountains.
We pray that your gifts of righteousness and forgiveness will be heard and believed by those who do not know you. If it is your will, let them have faith in Jesus so they, too, will sing for joy over the salvation you brought to them and us. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
God has already placed his judgment and wrath upon Jesus; Jesus took your every punishment for your sins into himself on Calvary’s cross, and believing in him takes all your guilt and shame away. It is there that you have peace and eternal life.