In the never ending quest of preaching the gospel to myself (see Preaching the Gospel to Yourself), I have been studying hymns to remind myself of Christ’s redemptive work on the cross. Isaac Watts is quickly becoming one my favorite hymn writers. In light of CrossPointe’s mission (to
see the beauty, harmony and wholeness of God's Kingdom reign in our
lives and in our communities, as the Gospel radically orients us to
Jesus and His mission of renewing the world), his great Christmas
hymn “Joy to the World” is powerful. He paraphrases Psalm 96 in stanza
2 which is a summation of God’s historical redemptive work that
culminates at the cross and is consummated ultimately by the return of
Christ in which all of creation is redeemed under His rule and reign.
Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns! Then, in striking language, he announces that the kingdom of Christ
means the complete reversal of all the curse of sin pronounced by God
in Genesis 3. No more let sins and sorrows grow, The cross reverses the curse and ushers in the Kingdom of God which
is the means by which all of creation will be renewed. The reach of
the curse does not exceed that of the cross. From the throne of Christ,
the exalted king, flows new life and power such that no disease, decay,
poverty, blemish, or pain can stand before it (Revelation 21.4). This
is our hope and joy. It is a gospel joy worth repeating in worship for
all of eternity. In full view of the cross. Chan
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found!