The Jesus Bible Reading PlanSample

SALVATION IS HERE!

God is a God of salvation! By his holy arm, God worked salvation, making it known to his people (Ps 98:1 – 2). Therefore, accompanied by a host of instruments, the people of God were to sing and shout to the Lord (vv. 4 – 6). This psalm makes clear that God did great things for Israel, reminding the people of all his promises to them. But his blessing did not terminate at the nation’s borders, nor was it intended to. This salvation that God made known was seen by all the ends of the earth (v. 3).

The salvation that God has brought to his people is to be shouted about with joy, and the people are to burst into jubilant song (v. 4). It cannot be celebrated in somber tones but must be celebrated in exuberant chorus. The sea and all who live in the earth will “resound” in this chorus (v. 7).

The psalmist wrote that the Lord has revealed his righteousness to the nations (v. 2). Certainly God did this in part through the law, but in Jesus righteousness was revealed apart from the law (Ro 3:21). In the New Testament, Paul wrote, “In the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed — a righteousness that is by faith” (Ro 1:17). In Jesus, God sent his righteous Savior. The people that he came to save did not earn salvation on their own merit, but it was given by the grace and righteousness of God. This fact gives all people something to celebrate and shout about!

Jesus, sometimes I am too embarrassed to celebrate you the way that I should. Please help me to worship you in spirit and in truth, without worrying about what other people might think. Amen.