Let the fields and everything in them celebrate! Then let the trees of the forest shout with joy before the Lord, for he comes! For he comes to judge the earth! He judges the world fairly, and the nations in accordance with his justice. (Psalms 96:12, 13)
Blessing flowed over the earth. Trees rejoiced at God’s mighty presence. Sea creatures floated in his peace. Mankind celebrated his goodness, pressing against us on every side. We were God’s crowning achievement, and we ruled his planet.
Then, the rulers rebelled. Even as elevated beings, we ate forbidden fruit, and defiled nature with sin. Trees bent, animals fled, the seas writhed. The Spirit of God swirled away into the heavens and evacuated the face of the earth.
The silence was deafening. Trees were muted from praise. Mountains transformed into inarticulate rock. Men feared animals on both land and sea. We wanted to dance, but there was no music. We wanted to fly, but there was nothing beneath our wings.
Sin displaced the presence of God, until we were left with a shadow existence.
Get ready, you trees. Prepare for life, you seas. The Holy One cannot be defeated. Our God comes again. His Spirit will fill the planet anew. Lift your eyes birds and beasts, you shall once again inhale his love. Together with plants, lakes, and stars, you will awaken to sing of glory.
God will judge those he anointed over creation, who failed. The rulers, who defiled his work, shall suffer their own corruption. But the repentant will be remade. With his own family blood, our God redeems the sorrowful.
Then, God will purge the earth of evil. Fear, shame, and hatred will be removed to hell. Injustice and rebellion will flee. God’s victorious Spirit will once again flood the earth, as the waters cover the sea. The music will return, and we will soar in love as though it were the only element around us.
Finally, humankind, and all creation under them, will shout God’s praises—as he ordained from the beginning.
Prayer: Come over the earth, Spirit of God, come!