The Good Earth - Call to Worship
All peoples that on earth do dwell – so we began that version of Psalm 100. As we gather again on another Lord’s Day, be reminded that not only do we ascend into the heavenlies so that we might corporately and covenantally approach the Throne of our Lord Jesus Christ. We also gather here upon the earth. This physical world was created by God and He loves it – He calls it good.
God created the heavens and the earth – the creation is not some by-product of some kind of warfare or other act of violence, as ancient pagan religions teach. It is not the product of some unexplained Big Bang as our current pagan religions teach. Mountains and valleys, land and seas, stars, moons, planets, seeds and trees, continents and blades of grass – none of these are the result of some biological, autonomous, violent force. This world which God created by the Word of His power is brimming with dynamic, abundant forms of life that are perfectly interwoven, interdependent, and mutually enhancing and enriching – because our Creator-Redeemer decreed that it should be.
We should hear, as we approach heaven, the voice of the Almighty’s approval over His creation echoing as it did through the first week of creation – “It is good”. And we should hear the voice of the Almighty-Redeemer’s voice echoing over this world – “ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…”
We are not gathering together at the threshold of heaven because the earth is a bad place that we hope to leave soon. We are gathering together to worship in heaven and upon this earth because Jesus is Lord of heaven and earth and because He is making all things new in heaven and on earth. It is here, upon this earth that He has made a public spectacle of the principalities and powers, disarming them and establishing His Son over all of their nations. And so we gather to worship – not to escape the earth – but rather to call upon nations to join in the glorious and gracious song of the Lamb. He is the One who has called us to continue His work of dominion and cultivation, of salvation and sanctification, upon and over all of His creation, over all of the earth.