Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name. – Psalm 97:12

Today's Scripture Reading (October 5, 2025): Psalm 97

Fantasy author, James Branch Cabell (1879-1958), argued that "The optimist proclaims that we live in the best of all possible worlds; the pessimist fears this is true (James Branch Cabell). It might be a great definition of the difference between a pessimist and an optimist. Both the optimist and the pessimist look at the same world but come to different conclusions. The optimist sees and celebrates what is good about the world, while the pessimist sees and mourns all that is wrong and cannot see a future that is any better.

The Christian Church would seem to lean toward a pessimistic view. We look at the world and mourn all that is broken in it. However, we can't just leave it there. We seem to believe that everything is going to get worse; it has to because our theology says that Jesus will return when our world gets to its lowest low. We don't seem to question whether or not that is a correct attitude. Do things have to get worse? Can't they get better?

I must admit that as I read the Bible, I keep receiving a different message. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus makes this statement.

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:13-16).

As I read these words from Jesus' famous sermon, I keep concluding that the world should be better because we, the Christian Church, are in it. So, is it? I think that for most of our history, we would have to say no. And part of the problem is where we place our focus. We seem to love bringing up everything that is wrong with the world. We are the pessimists who see a world full of ugliness and believe it will only get worse.

The Psalmist commands all who believe in God to "Rejoice in the Lord … and praise his holy name (Psalm 97:12). Instead of seeing all of the ways that this world is going down the drain, we should lift up our heads and see all that God is doing that is good in this world, and give him the praise. And not only see what is already good, but know that, because the Christian Church is both salt and light, the world can get even better.

So, rejoice in the God who is at work in our world. And recognize that because he is also at work in us, this old world has a bright future, and the Creator of this world is well worthy of our praise.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Psalm 98 & 99