The Great Joy Christians Celebrate in Christ’s Coming to Earth!

14 Dec 2025 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Psalm 98:4.        Make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise (break forth in song), and rejoice, and sing praise.

One more Sunday friends, the third one in Advent, as we prepare for the celebration of our Lord and Saviour, Christ’s birth on Christmas Day; one of the most important occasions in our Christian calendar. And to help celebrate such an auspicious occasion, as we fellowship in the Lord’s sanctuary today, we’ll sing a season hymn declaring how grateful and joyful we are for Christ’s birth. And yes, you guessed right, it’s that Christmas favourite, Joy to the World, another of Isaac Watts, that master hymnist’s wonderful songs. 

And no wonder he wrote so many beautiful songs, because he was said to have shown remarkable precocity in childhood, beginning the study of Latin, in his fourth year, and writing respectable verses at the age of seven. He eventually became a minister of the cloth, which I guess gave him time and inspiration to pen such beautiful hymns. So, without further ado, let’s offer up our sweet sacrifices of praise in an up-temp, scintillating, rousing version, a la Boney M. 

Singing: ‘Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; let ev’ry heart prepare him room and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing. Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ, while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains, repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy. 

No more let sins and sorrows grow, nor thorns infest the ground; he comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found. He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his LOVE, and wonders of his LOVE, and wonders, wonders of his LOVE. Joy to the world, the Lord is come…joy to the world, the Lord is come…’ 

And He certainly has my people! He came to earth to save us from our abominable sins and to show us what the Father was truly like. It’s also interesting to note that Watts did not write this hymn as a Christmas carol, since the lyrics do not reflect the Virgin birth of Christ, but apparently as a hymn celebrating the Second Coming of Christ. However, despite not been a Christmas carol, since the 20th century, in North America, it’s been nonetheless the most published hymn associated with Christmas. Explain that nuh! 

But it works very well, since the scholars tell us that Watts’ lyrics are a Christian interpretation of Psalm 98 and Genesis 3. And ‘Psalm 98 is one of the Royal Psalms (Psalms 93-100), so called because they all emphasize God’s royal kingship in various ways. Psalm 98 especially emphasizes our joy in the face of God’s kingship over all the earth.’ 

And we see that being emphasized all through the psalm: ‘O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed (revealed) in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered his mercy (LOVING-KINDNESS) and his truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. 

Make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise (break forth in song), and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm (sound of a song). With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King. Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Let the floods (rivers) clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity (uprightness).’ (Ps. 98: 1-9) 

And all of that is very true, it’s just that it all began with the birth of Christ. Christ’s birth set the stage for salvation and all the other goodness of God to be revealed and enjoyed. That’s why the psalm calls for three groups to rejoice: God’s people (vs. 1-3), the whole earth (vs. 4-6), and all of nature (vs. 7-9) The first and second verses of the hymn deals with heaven and earth rejoicing at the coming of the King, and though Watts was thinking in terms of Christ’s Second Coming, we find it useful to use the hymn to celebrate His First Coming (smile) 

Meanwhile, it’s reputed that the third verse of the hymn alludes to Genesis 3:17-19, after Adam and Eve sinned, and the Lord was doling out His punishment. ‘And unto Adam he said, because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow (toil) shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.’ 

Yes friends, it was a tough punishment, but the Lord in His goodness and mercy offered up a reprieve through His Son Jesus Christ’s Crucifixion, and He will return in all His majesty and glory to rule one day when the Father deems the time is right. Thus, the fourth verse of the psalm can allude to Christ’s rule over the nations, who are called to celebrate as the psalm reminds us, that because of God’s faithfulness salvation has been brought to the house of Israel. (Ps. 98:2-3) 

So friends, whether we’re celebrating Christ’s First or Second Coming, the important thing is that we’re celebrating the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to mankind; SALVATION!  So, let’s keep on celebrating as we go deeper into the Christmas Season, for it is one of the best reasons to celebrate! Much LOVE!

…at Christmas time…joy should be flooding our world…instead of the crushing anxiety and debilitating uncertainty that currently floods it… 

Hear our podcast at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/randy-obrien

The Third Sunday of Advent and Its Importance to the Season.

15 Dec 2024 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Psalm 98:4.          Make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise (break forth in song), and rejoice, and sing praise.

And it’s Sunday my fellow believers! The third Sunday in the church season of Advent, where we look forward to the birth of Christ and His Second Coming. On this the third Sunday though, called Gaudete (rejoice) Sunday, we simply rejoice, let all the joy spill out of our hearts souls, bodies and minds. Why? 

Because as this commentary tells us: ‘The third Sunday in Advent (Advent III) focuses our hearts on rejoicing at the arrival of God’s kingdom with the coming of Jesus. The third Sunday in Advent (Advent III) shifts from a tone of expectation of Christ’s coming to one of rejoicing at the arrival of God’s kingdom with the coming of Jesus.’ And what better way to let that joy spill forth than in ecstatic fellowship in the Lord’s sanctuary. 

And today we’ll open our worship with the most-published hymn associated with Christmas in North America in spite of it not being a Christmas carol. It’s simply but oh so appropriately titled: ‘Joy to the World!’ It was written around 1719 by the English minister and Master Hymnist, Isaac Watts (1674-1748). And was supposedly based on Watts’ Christian interpretation of Psalm 98 and Genesis 3. But enough talk for now, let’s lift our voices in sweet sacrificial praise to high heaven, letting all the true joy from our hearts flow out in this up tempo, scintillating version of ‘Joy to the World!’ 

Singing: ‘(Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; let ev’ry heart prepare him room and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.) Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ, while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains, repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy. 

No more let sins and sorrows grow nor thorns infest the ground; he comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found. He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his LOVE, and wonders of his LOVE, and wonders, wonders of his LOVE.’ 

Wow! What sacrificial praise my people! Heaven was truly awakened and surprised by the level of joy in Jesus that emanated from us in the singing of that song. And why not eh? For it’s because of Jesus we have Christmas, Forgiveness of Sins, Salvation and Eternal Life! 

Now, earlier on we mentioned that the song was Watt’s interpretation of Psalm 98 and Genesis 3, and was not meant to be a Christmas song, as there was no mention of Christ’s immaculate conception or virgin birth but one celebrating Christ’s Second Coming. Somehow or the other though, it’s become one of the most popular Christmas tunes.  Psalm 98 is one of the Royal Psalms (Psalms 93-100), so called because they all emphasize God’s royal kingship in various ways. 

Psalm 98 especially emphasizes our joy in the face of God’s kingship over all the earth. And it bids us in no uncertain terms: ‘O sing unto the Lord a new song; for he hath done marvellous things: his right hand, and his holy arm, hath gotten him the victory. The Lord hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed (revealed) in the sight of the heathen (Gentiles). 

He hath remembered his mercy (LOVING-KINDNESS), and his truth (faithfulness) toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Make a joyful noise (shout joyfully) unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise (break forth in song), and rejoice, and sing praise.’ (Ps. 98: 1-4) 

Oh friends, that’s exactly what we ought to be doing; rejoicing, and singing praises to our great God, who has created us, LOVED us with an insatiable, unconditional, immeasurable and unbreakable LOVE, despite our disobedience and rebellion! And that’s the kind of emotion Rev. Watts tries to evoke in the first two verses of ‘Joy to the World. The Lord is come! Let earth receive her king; let ev’ry heart prepare him room and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.’ 

As the scholars explain it: ‘The coming reign of the Lord on the earth is here celebrated as an event of great joy. Therefore three groups are called upon to rejoice: God’s people (vs. 1-3), the whole earth (vs. 4-6), and all of nature (vs. 7-9).’ Yes sir! All of the universe, all of God’s creation ought to rejoice when He comes back to fulfill His Millenium Reign on Earth! There are no ifs, ands or buts about that! But it just so happens that the song can also be associated with joy over the birth of Christ, another joyful occasion in the annals of man. 

And as per the third verse ‘No more let sins and sorrows grow nor thorns infest the ground; he comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found.’ Watts is probably alluding to God’s curse on mankind, particularly Adam, after their fall from grace, found in Genesis 3:17-19. 

‘And unto Adam he (God) said, Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow (toil) shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life; Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; and thou shalt eat the herb of the field; In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.’ 

Yes friends, that certainly gave us a tough row to hoe. But, as one commentary says: ‘this speaks of Christ’s blessings extending victoriously over the realm of sin, rather than to the psalm text. The cheerful repetition of the phrase “far as the curse is found” has caused this stanza to be omitted from some hymnals. But the line makes joyful sense when understood from the New Testament eyes through which Watts interprets the psalm. Stanza four celebrates Christ’s rule over the nations. The nations are called to celebrate because God’s faithfulness to the house of Israel has brought salvation to the world.’ 

And so it has my fellow saints; blessedly, so it has! There is no refuting that the world has been granted a reprieve from eternal separation from Almighty God by the most timely coming of Christ to earth to put God’s plan of salvation into action. First to the Jews, then to all the world! And as such all the world ought to rejoice and sing God’s praises for His mercy, grace and LOVE to the underserving children of men. Please, let’s concentrate on doing that this Christmas season, more than on the worldly aspects of it! Much LOVE!

…any coming of Christ to earth…is a cause for much celebration…

Today’s Scrip-Bit   18 December 2022 Psalm 150:6.

18 Dec 2022 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Psalm 150:6.      Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord (shout Hallelujah!

Sunday has come around again my brethren. It’s the last one before Christmas Day, as next Sunday will indeed be the Big Day. Yes friends, this year, that joyful and very auspicious day in man’s history falls most appropriately on a Sunday. So there will be lots of fellowshipping, singing, praising, celebrating and all the other things we do as we remember the day our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, was born in a manger to the virgin in Bethlehem, as promised by prophecy in God’s Word long before. ‘Therefore the Lord himself shall give thee a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (God with us).’ (Is. 7:14) 

Therefore, on this penultimate Sunday, in this Advent Season, where we look forward to Christ’s birth, it is only right that we sing a joyful song of worship celebrating that miraculous birth. The song written by that master hymnist, Isaac Watts (1674-1748), is aptly titled ‘Joy to the World,’ So in a rich, harmonious, up-tempo version, let’s raise our voices in joyful sacrificial praise, letting all heaven and earth know the enormous gratitude we truly feel for the gift of Jesus Christ that our heavenly Father bestowed on us that Christmas Day so long ago. 

Singing: ‘Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King; let ev’ry heart prepare him room and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n and nature sing, and heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing. Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ, while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains, repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy. 

No more let sins and sorrows grow nor thorns infest the ground; he comes to make his blessings flow far as the curse is found, far as the curse is found, far as, far as the curse is found. He rules the world with truth and grace and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness and wonders of his LOVE, and wonders of his LOVE, and wonders, wonders of his LOVE.’ 

Wow friends, that was marvellous! We certainly woke up heaven by emptying ourselves and letting them know the true and sincere appreciation we hold for Jesus! And why shouldn’t we be truly appreciative eh, since it’s only because of His birth, death and resurrection that we’re not facing eternal hellfire and damnation, but have another much more delectable option in salvation and eternal life. And whoever isn’t truly grateful for that option, definitely deserves to spend eternity with Satan. 

Ah my people, Christ’s coming to earth did bring joy to our world, it brought a gladness of heart that was not here before. And I like how the writer talks about: ‘Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Let men their songs employ, while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains, repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy, repeat, repeat the sounding joy.’ 

It reminds me of how Psalm 148, exhorts all of God’s creation to praise His holy name; ‘the heavens, the sun, moon, the waters above the heavens, mountains and all hills, fruitful trees and all cedars, beasts and all cattle, creeping things and flying fowl, kings of the earth and all people, princes and all judges, both young men and maidens, old men and children.’ Yes friends, it is imperative that all of God’s creations praise Him and sing of the joy He brings, especially through His Son Jesus Christ. As Psalm 150 says: ‘Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord (shout Hallelujah!’ (Ps. 150:6) 

Psalm 100 – A call to praise the Lord, a psalm of thanksgiving,-also comes to mind. ‘Make a joyful noise (shout joyfully)  unto the Lord, all ye lands (all the earth). Serve the Lord with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Knowe ye that the Lord he is God: it is he who made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.’ (Ps. 100:1-5) 

Oh, what indisputable truth is showered forth in that psalm of praise and thanksgiving! And that last verse is a powerful scripture: for the Lord is indeed good and his mercy is indeed everlasting, otherwise we wouldn’t be celebrating the imminent birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The Lord could have just left us in our sinful condition, but He chose not to because of His great LOVE and mercy towards us. That’s why He sent Jesus to save us. Not because of anything we did. As Bruh Paul said to the Romans: ‘But God commendeth (demonstrated) his (own) LOVE toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.’ (Rom. 5:8) 

The Lord stepped up to the plate with His LOVE and mercy despite our sinfulness. He could have waited for us to change, to become obedient to His word, but He knew that with our stubborn, rebellious and hardhearted nature we would not, so He offered us a lifeline through Christ Jesus. However, many of us still refuse to accept that lifeline and don’t accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. But friends that’s a rather foolish and unwise move, for there will be serious consequences to pay for refusing Jesus, come the judgement day. 

And whatever joy you might think you have now without Jesus in your life, let me tell you, that will be extinguished on your dying day, for only those who receive Jesus in all good conscience will have the joy that comes with eternal life. So please consider all we’ve said and seriously think about turning to Christ so that your joy may be full. Much LOVE!

…true joy is only to be found in Jesus… 

Hear our podcast at https://open.spotify.com/show/3aVfqIC1CqwGybISs9dZ   

Today’s Scrip-Bit 25 December 2015 Isaiah 9:2

25 Dec 2015 Leave a comment

by randyobrien50 in Christian Thoughts and Inspiration., Daily Devotion, Daily Inspiration, Inspirational Living, Spiritual Living Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Isaiah 9:2.  The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

  MERRY  CHRISTMAS !

Oh my fellow believers, friends, neighbours and the great unwashed, Jesus Christ is born! Glory Hallelujah! At long last the day for which we’ve waited is here, so to show our appreciation and gratitude let’s offer up some sacrificial praise and thanksgiving nuh! 

Please sing with me: ‘Joy to the world! The Lord is come; Let earth receive her king; Let every heart prepare him room, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven and nature sing, And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing. 

Joy to the earth! The savior reigns; Let men their songs employ; While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy. 

No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make his blessings flow Far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as, the curse is found. 

He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness, And wonders of his LOVE, And wonders of his LOVE, And wonders, wonders, of his LOVE.’ 

Yes my brethren, our Lord and Saviour was born some two thousand years ago in the dirty and ‘dingy’ stable with the all the animals and their funky smell, but that didn’t bother Him one iota. And a lot of people wonder if God is so omnipotent and otherwise why He allowed His blessed son to be born in such lowly and humble surroundings. 

Well Friends, that’s just because God wanted to show that Christ came to save the lowly, the lost, the needy, not the righteous and wealthy. Plus He also likes to ‘confuffle’ mankind by using the lowly and poor when others expect Him to use the wise and wealthy. 

But be that as it may, today is Christ’s birthday and it is being celebrated all around the world with joy and gladness and good tidings to one and all. Even those who are being relentlessly persecuted are celebrating, because their faith is strong enough to withstand the persecution, for it’s based on the wonderful and faithful promises of Jesus! Glory to God my people! 

And now turning to our Bit: ‘The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.’ 

And isn’t that the gospel truth my believing brethren? It certainly is, because Jesus is the LIGHT of this dark world, and when He was born His healing and comforting and saving light was let loose on the darkness and the people rejoiced, because they could then see their way clear by the brilliant LIGHT that Jesus brought to planet earth. 

Now here is why our God is so great, especially when coming to promises. The prophet Isaiah foretold centuries before Christ’s birth this wonderful news that the people faithfully held on to for so long. 

‘For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 

Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgement and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord will perform this.’ (Is.9:6-7) 

And though it took many centuries for this to happen, in God’s time, His zeal did perform the promise through the miraculous birth of Jesus through the Virgin Mary. 

Yesterday we saw how Mary’s faith was great, as she acceded to the Lord’s purpose in her life without any hesitation. Oh friends, are we doing the same eh? Are we getting in agreement with God’s plan for our life without too much hassle and doubt and anxiety? I surely do hope so, because that’s when the Lord performs His miracles in our lives and raises us up. 

Now let’s turn to Luke and get his account of Jesus’ birth. ‘And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in their field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon (stood before) them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore (greatly) afraid. 

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: 

Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes (cloths), lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, good will toward men.’ (Luke 2:8-14) 

Yes Friends, that is what Jesus came to earth to bring; peace and good will to all mankind. Let’s never forget that because it’s one of the basic tenets of our faith. 

And time and space has run out on us, but we all know how the shepherds ran to where Jesus lay and found Him just as the angels had declared, then they spread the good news all around the area, praising and glorifying God. (Luke 2:15-20) 

Now that’s what we ought to do today and everyday my people. Anyway, today is Friday, and I believe it is one day when we badly need our Friday Chant to keep us in line, since the celebration of Christ’s birth is so phenomenal. So let’s go home chanting it with sincerity and enthusiasm nuh. 

‘Oh Lord, thanks for getting me safely through another week of work! It hasn’t been easy, but with your generous help, I made it through. Now, please help me to get sufficient fun, fellowship, rest and relaxation in these two short days off, so that I can be renewed and refreshed in soul, body and mind, to go back out and do it all over again next week, furthering your glorious kingdom with each step I take. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.’ 

And please remember Granny’s plea, that drunk or sober we must mind our business. That is ever so important in these times of celebration.  Merry Christmas my brothers and sisters in Christ! Much LOVE!

…Christmas…the time when Christ’s light…first shone in a darkened world… 

P.S.  The Bit’s early today friends, so no complaints. (smile) That’s because I wrote it right after I came from the 11 0’clock service at church. This way I can do my own celebrations without having to worry about waking up to write it. Oh there is indeed method to my madness! (smile) And though it’s somewhat long, I think it’s good. Hope you do too. Much LOVE!