Joy: The Presence of the King

Good morning. As we gather on this Third Sunday of Advent — the Sunday of Joy-let us reflect on the true meaning of joy during this special season.

We've been walking slowly through this season, letting the Psalms shape our hearts as we prepare for the coming of our King. Embracing hope and peace helps us feel reassured and calm, strengthening our faith as we anticipate His arrival.

A couple of weeks ago, we began with Hope — waiting for the King in Psalm 130, learning that hope rises in the waiting.

Last week, we looked at Peace in Psalm 72 — the peace that comes from the reign of the true Son of David, the King who rules with justice and righteousness.

And today, we turn to Joy. Psalm 98 shows us something we desperately need to remember this time of year: Joy doesn't come from circumstances. It comes from God's presence — the One who has come, who is with us right now, and who will come again. Recognizing His nearness helps us feel genuinely valued and connected to the source of joy.

So as we step into worship this morning, let's open our hearts to the joy that comes not from our feelings or efforts, but from the King who draws near to His people and fills us with His presence.

Let us pray.

Father, we come before You this morning with grateful hearts, recognizing Your constant presence among us. Thank You for gathering us on this Third Sunday of Advent — this day where we remember the joy that breaks into the world because You have drawn near.

Lord, You know the things that have pressed on our hearts this week-both individually and as a community. You know the places where joy has felt thin, where heaviness has settled in, where worry or weariness has taken more space than we wanted it to. This morning, would You meet us right there?

Open our eyes to see Jesus more clearly. Open our hearts to receive the joy that comes from His presence — not a shallow happiness, but a deep, steady joy rooted in Your salvation, Your faithfulness, and Your promise to come again. May this deepen our hope and fill us with renewed joy.

Holy Spirit, guide us as we open Your Word. Let Psalm 98 come alive in us, and let the joy of our King refresh, strengthen, and steady us.

We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Savior and our King.

Amen.

Joy can feel like a strange word in a season like this. December is full of activity and emotion, but joy—real joy—often seems just out of reach. Unlike worldly happiness, biblical joy is rooted in God's presence and promises. Advent doesn't ignore that tension. Instead, it shows us that joy isn't something we manufacture. It isn't tied to the mood of the season, and it doesn't depend on everything in life going the way we hoped it would. Advent joy is more profound than all of that. It's what rises in the heart when God's people recognize that the King has drawn near.

Psalm 98 helps us see that clearly. It's one of the most radiant songs of joy in all the Psalms. The whole psalm is built around the simple truth that God has acted, God is present, and God will come again. It celebrates the Lord stepping into human history with power and faithfulness. It shows His salvation breaking out into the open for all to see. It pictures the whole earth lifted in praise, and then the entire creation erupting in joy because the righteous King is coming to set all things right, filling us with hope for what is to come.

The psalm moves like a great piece of music, starting with the quiet confidence of a God who has already shown His saving arm. Then the volume rises as the nations are invited to sing. And finally, the song swells into a chorus so large that even the seas, the rivers, and the hills are caught up in rejoicing. Past salvation, present worship, future restoration—Psalm 98 holds all of it together and shows us where joy is born, inspiring awe and anticipation for God's ongoing work.

So as we step into this psalm, we're reminded that joy isn't something we chase. But how can we experience this joy amid the busyness and distractions of December? It's something that awakens when we see the Lord as He truly is. Joy breaks in when the King draws near—when we remember what He has done, when we recognize His presence in the middle of our lives right now, and when we rest in the promise that He is coming again to set all things right.

Let's walk through this psalm together.

Joy Because the King Has Come

The psalm opens with a call that almost feels like an eruption:

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.

This isn’t just an invitation to sing something different; it’s the language of deliverance. In Scripture, a “new song” rises whenever God intervenes in a fresh, decisive way-such as in your own life or community. It’s what happens when God steps into the story again with saving power. The psalmist isn’t trying to stir up emotion; he’s responding to something God has done, which we can also recognize in our personal testimonies.

And notice how he describes it: God’s “right hand” and “holy arm” have worked salvation. These are images of strength and victory—pictures of a God who doesn’t stand far off while His people struggle. In our daily walk, this imagery reminds us that God's power is active and present-he acts, rescues, and brings salvation into real time and space. Joy begins here, not because life is simple or predictable, but because the Lord has already shown Himself mighty to save, just as He does in our ongoing spiritual battles.

The psalm moves from the personal to the public. It says,

The Lord has made known his salvation; he has revealed his righteousness in the sight of the nations.

Salvation is not something God hides or whispers. He brings it into the open so the whole world can see what He has done. For us, this means recognizing and testifying to God's work—moments of mercy, unexpected provision, quiet protection, answers to prayer we didn’t even know how to articulate. When we take the time to look closely, we start to see His fingerprints everywhere-joy grows when our eyes are open to the ways God has been present all along.

Then the psalmist gives us the foundation for all of this:

He has remembered his steadfast love and faithfulness to the house of Israel. All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God.

That word “remembered” isn’t about recalling something forgotten; it’s about God acting on His covenant promises. He moves toward His people because His love is steady, loyal, and unwavering. He doesn’t break His word. He doesn’t change His mind. The joy of Advent is rooted here—God made a promise, and He kept it when Christ was born. The child in the manger wasn’t a random event; He was the fulfillment of God’s ancient covenant love.

All of this brings us to a quiet but powerful truth: joy is not fragile. It isn’t based on the ups and downs of our days. It rests on the unchanging character of God and the saving actions He has already taken. Joy breaks in when the King draws near—and He has already drawn near in Christ.

Let’s move deeper into the psalm.

Joy Because The King Reigns

As the psalm moves forward, the quiet reflection of the first three verses suddenly expands into something explosive.

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth into joyous song and sing praises!

This is not a polite smile or a gentle hum. This is overflowing joy—joy that refuses to stay contained, joy that shakes the air and calls the world to attention.

What's striking is how wide the invitation reaches. This isn't just Israel's song. The psalmist throws open the doors and summons all the earth into worship. God's presence is too big to fit inside one nation, one people, or one small corner of the world. His reign is global, and the joy that flows from His kingship is meant to fill every heart with hope and a sense of belonging.

When God's people truly recognize His rule—when they see that He's not only Savior but King—joy naturally becomes contagious. It's not something forced; it's something caught. An honest recognition of Christ's sovereignty draws hearts to worship Him sincerely, fostering reverence and heartfelt devotion.

The psalmist then paints the scene with musical color.

Sing praises to the Lord with the lyre, with the lyre and the sound of melody! With trumpets and the sound of the horn make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!

Lyres, trumpets, and horns are all brought in as if an entire orchestra has been called to its feet. Today, similar instruments or symbols-like loud singing or joyful clapping-serve to announce God's majesty. These are instruments of celebration, meant to be played with what one commentator beautifully calls 'glad abandon.' In Israel's history, specific instruments—especially trumpets and horns—were used when a king appeared in public. They were royal instruments. Their sound announced majesty, authority, and presence.

That's the point here. This joyful expression isn't limited to special occasions; it applies to our daily lives. When Christ is near, joy becomes visible—something real, heartfelt, and recognizable-encouraging us to see worship as a constant attitude, not just a moment.

And here the psalm reminds us of a precious truth: joy doesn't wait until everything is perfect. It rises right now, in the very presence of the King who walks with His people. Joy breaks in when the King draws near—and He is present with His people even amid life's challenges, encouraging us to praise Him authentically in all circumstances.

Let's move into the final movement of the psalm

Joy Because the King Will Come Again

The psalm now lifts its vision beyond Israel, beyond the nations, and even beyond humanity. Suddenly, the whole created world is swept up into the song. “Let the sea roar… let the rivers clap their hands… let the hills sing for joy.” This isn’t poetic exaggeration; it’s creation-wide joy rooted in the hope of Christ's coming. It’s Advent joy—joy that looks ahead to the day when the King returns, and everything broken is made new, inspiring believers today to find hope and joy in God's promised restoration.

The picture here is stunning. The seas roar, not in chaos but in celebration. The rivers clap their hands like a community welcoming a long-awaited ruler. The hills lift their voices in song. It’s as if the whole earth, together, has been holding its breath, longing for righteousness, aching for restoration, waiting for the moment when God steps in to set all things right. Paul describes this shared longing in Romans 8, where creation groans for the day of redemption. The psalmist shows us that when that day comes, creation won’t groan—it will rejoice. It will bubble with delight because the righteous King has arrived.

Then the psalmist explains why creation sings: “For He comes to judge the earth.” Judgment is a word we often associate with fear, but that’s not the picture here. This judgment is restorative and just. It’s God governing rightly, bringing justice to places injustice has ruled, mending what evil has shattered, and healing what sin has distorted. This understanding of judgment reassures believers that God's justice is rooted in love and restoration, fulfilling every weary heart's longing for true justice and peace.

When Jesus returns, wrongs will be made right. Darkness will be chased away. Brokenness will be healed. Evil will not have the last word. Every suffering part of the world will finally breathe again, filling believers with hope and confidence that Christ will fulfill His promises.

Joy comes from remembering what God has done, but it also comes from looking ahead with hope to what He will do. Joy breaks in when the King draws near—and one day, He will draw near again.

Let’s turn now to how this psalm speaks into our lives.

How Do We Apply This?

Psalm 98 doesn’t just lift our eyes; it also speaks directly to how we live right now. Joy may feel like an emotion we can’t control, but Scripture consistently shows us that joy grows through remembrance, awareness, hope, and witness.

The first step is to let joy rise from remembering what God has already done for you. Take time this week to recall specific moments where the Lord has stepped into your story—times when He provided, protected, healed, guided, or carried you through something you thought would undo you. Joy grows when we refuse to forget His faithfulness. Gratitude isn’t just polite; it’s the soil where joy begins to flourish.

But joy doesn’t only look backward. It deepens when we recognize His presence right now. Christ is not absent from your life. He is Emmanuel, “God with us,” and He meets us in His Word, in prayer, in worship, and even in the ordinary rhythms of our days. Joy often rises slowly and quietly as we build a life that notices His nearness. The more aware we become of His presence, the more joy settles into our hearts.

Joy also looks forward. When circumstances feel heavy—and they will—this psalm calls us to look beyond what we see. Joy grows when our eyes lift toward the horizon of Christ’s return, when we remember that history is not spinning out of control, and darkness does not get the final word. One day, the King will come again, and He will make all things new. That hope anchors us when life feels unsettled.

When the presence of Christ stirs joy in us, it naturally spills outward through acts of encouragement, sharing testimonies, and witnessing-practical ways to inspire and uplift others in their faith journey.

Psalm 98 invites us not just to feel joy, but to walk in it—to cultivate it, to guard it, and to let it overflow into the lives of the people around us.

So What?

When we step back and take in the whole sweep of Psalm 98, it reminds us to appreciate how biblical joy connects to our daily lives, making the message more relevant and encouraging.

It means, first, that joy isn’t found in perfect circumstances. If you’re waiting for everything in your life to line up just right before you can rejoice, you’ll be waiting a long time. Advent joy doesn’t depend on smooth seasons or easy days. It’s rooted in something far more solid.

It also means you can rejoice because God has already acted, fulfilling His promises. Remembering His past faithfulness helps joy take root in the present, encouraging trust in His ongoing work.

And it means you can rejoice because Christ is with you. You are not walking through this season alone. The King is present with His people—guiding, sustaining, strengthening, comforting. His nearness is a fact, not just a feeling.

Finally, it means you can rejoice because Christ will come again. The story is not finished. The brokenness and burdens you feel right now will not have the last word. A righteous King is returning to set all things right, filling you with hope and anticipation.

All of this reminds us that joy isn’t flimsy. It isn’t fragile. It’s anchored in the unchanging character and steadfast presence of the Lord Himself, which can bring confidence and peace to your heart.

Joy breaks in when the King draws near.

Joy: The Presence of the King

Psalm 98 doesn’t just give us a song—it gives us the whole story of our faith. It takes us back to the God who has already acted in saving power, inspiring gratitude and trust. It brings us into the present reality of a King who reigns right now with righteousness and mercy. And it lifts our eyes to the future, when that same King will come again to judge the world in perfect justice and make all things new.

This psalm shows us that joy is not an accessory to the Christian life. Joy is the soundtrack of God’s presence. Wherever He moves, joy rises. Wherever He reigns, joy spreads. Wherever He comes, joy breaks open like light in the darkness.

And church—this is the joy we get to cultivate. A joy rooted not in what we can control, not in what we feel, not in what we wish life would be, but in the unshakable reality of Christ Himself. A joy grounded in His salvation, sustained by His presence, and stretched forward by the hope of His return, bringing reassurance and peace to our hearts.

So lift your heads. Strengthen your hearts. The King has come. The King is with us. And whether He returns soon or later, we live in joyful anticipation of His glorious coming again.

And every time the King draws near, we can experience moments of peace, renewed hope, and gratitude-signs that joy breaks in when the King draws near.

Amen.

Father, we thank You for meeting us in Your Word today and for the gift of salvation that fills us with joy. Help us to recognize Your presence and to deepen our gratitude, so our reliance on Your faithfulness grows stronger.

Lord, for those whose joy has felt distant, would You restore it?

For those whose joy has been worn thin, would You renew it?

And for all of us, would You deepen our joy in Christ—joy that is anchored, unshakable, and rooted in Your faithfulness-so we may experience renewed strength and hope together.

Let the truth of Psalm 98 settle into our hearts: that You have acted, You are reigning, and You will come again. Fill Your people with a joy that carries them through this week, shining as a witness to Your goodness and unwavering faithfulness.

We ask this in the name of Jesus, our Savior and our King.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Amen.

Be blessed to be a blessing.