Savior, King & Judge
What many people do when they come to faith is believe Jesus saved them from their sins. That is right. But He is much more than simply Savior. He is King and Judge.
This is the message of Psalm 98. The first stanza reminds us the Lord is Savior:
Psalm 98:1 (ESV) 1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
The Second stanza presents Him as King:
Psalm 98:6 (ESV) With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!
Finally, stanza three proclaims Him as Judge:
Psalm 98:8–9 (ESV) Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together 9 before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
He is all three.
Thankfully, He saves us first. He extends down to us and lifts us up from the miry pit of our own failure. But that's not where it ends. He is also made King of our lives. The reason we don't like some of our Christian growth program is because it's not our choice! He is King! He is in charge! Every Kingdom has a King and we are part of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ! Finally, He is our judge. 2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
It's wonderful to be forgiven. That's what God does for us in Christ when Jesus comes in.
It's challenging to be forged. That's what He does as King from the inside out.
It's humbling to remember we will be judged.
Yet our Psalm doesn't stop singing throughout all three stanzas. It is a joyful song of praise to the fact that our Lord is our Savior, King and Judge. Why is there such cause for joy?
Because it means other people are not your savior, king or judge! You do not live or die by what others think of you. Your king also died for you and comes to receive you and reward you. You do not have to fear man! He is the faithful and true Judge of pure and holy righteousness. He is right, not everyone else.
This is the message of Psalm 98. The first stanza reminds us the Lord is Savior:
Psalm 98:1 (ESV) 1 Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things! His right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him.
The Second stanza presents Him as King:
Psalm 98:6 (ESV) With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!
Finally, stanza three proclaims Him as Judge:
Psalm 98:8–9 (ESV) Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together 9 before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.
He is all three.
Thankfully, He saves us first. He extends down to us and lifts us up from the miry pit of our own failure. But that's not where it ends. He is also made King of our lives. The reason we don't like some of our Christian growth program is because it's not our choice! He is King! He is in charge! Every Kingdom has a King and we are part of the Kingdom of Jesus Christ! Finally, He is our judge. 2 Corinthians 5:10 (ESV) For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
It's wonderful to be forgiven. That's what God does for us in Christ when Jesus comes in.
It's challenging to be forged. That's what He does as King from the inside out.
It's humbling to remember we will be judged.
Yet our Psalm doesn't stop singing throughout all three stanzas. It is a joyful song of praise to the fact that our Lord is our Savior, King and Judge. Why is there such cause for joy?
Because it means other people are not your savior, king or judge! You do not live or die by what others think of you. Your king also died for you and comes to receive you and reward you. You do not have to fear man! He is the faithful and true Judge of pure and holy righteousness. He is right, not everyone else.
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