Let the Rivers Clap

Written By Trillia Newbell

I recently had the opportunity to visit the mountains of Colorado for a retreat. When I got home, I happened to read a chapter in Tim and Kathy Keller’s book The Songs of Jesus, which was perfect for what I had just experienced. I wanted to share an excerpt of what I read along with a few pictures from my time there.

This excerpt is taken from Psalm 98: 7-9

Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it! Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills sing for joy together before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world with righteousness, and the peoples with equity.

Excerpt:

The Rivers Clap Their Hands. The imagery of the trees and fish praising God (Psalm96:11-12), with the rivers and the mountains clapping and singing (verse 8), is more than just poetry. Romans 8: 18-25 says that nature was made to be far more alive and glorious than it is in its current state. Modern philosophies cannot fathom that the natural world will not come into its own until the human race is made righteous again. Jesus will come to restore this ancient harmony (verse 9). So our future hope is powerful. If rivers and mountains will be like this when he returns, what will we be like (1 John 3:2-3)? *

Today, take time to dream about what it will be like to rejoice with the Lord always in a perfect world where streams flow with pristine water and mountains shout for joy. It’s coming! Weeping will be gone, and we will be full of everlasting rejoicing. Until that day, step outside and remember that the God who created it all is returning to make it all new.

*Excerpt from pg. 244

 

RELATED CONTENT

BLOG
Updates: Books, Encouragement, Sale, and more….
Updates: Books, Encouragement, Sale, and more….

It’s been quiet here! Since March, like much of the world, I’ve been adjusting to life at home, kids at home, work at home, and church at home. What’s interesting about that sentence is that it’s not unique. I imagine that you’ve had many of the same adjustments to make during this year. Since it’s been a while, I thought I’d write an update on life and work. I’d love to hear from you, too!

A God Who is For Us Now
A God Who is For Us Now

I have had the opportunity to write several articles during this tough time and I hope to share those soon. But today I wanted to send you a link to a video Moody Publishers asked me to record for all of us. My friends who know me well, know that I have endured various hard trials. The Lord has been faithful in those times. So, when Moody Publishers asked me to encourage us during this time I went to Romans 8. This is not some encouragement to be happy or pretend like nothing is happening. My desire is that we’d remember a Person not a concept. Our Hope is Jesus and my prayer is that this word encourages you as you endure–remembering that God is for you and will never leave you.

God’s grace to convict
God’s grace to convict

God can work miracles with the lights completely out, when it seems like a complete disaster. God doesn’t need the lights to work! God uses whatever He desires to work good in the world and in us. Also, God can change hearts.

Introducing Our Kids to the Kids of the Civil Rights Era
Introducing Our Kids to the Kids of the Civil Rights Era

A few nights ago my family experienced the hardest, most sobering time we’ve had since starting our #BlackHistoryMonth meal and historical conversations. It was kids choice night. The kids chose the dishes and we discussed some of the stories of Black children in the Civil Rights era. Our were thankful for what we learned that night, thankful for the kids who made it possible for them to enter their schools without much fear.

Meeting African Americans Born After Slavery
Meeting African Americans Born After Slavery

This month my family is celebrating Black History Month through cooking through Jubilee and discussing historical figures and events related to or inspired by the food we eat.

The Super Bowl Halftime Show and #MeToo
The Super Bowl Halftime Show and #MeToo

The Super Bowl has come and gone but the conversation about the halftime show might have taken center stage. The show headliners were two Latina women, Jennifer Lopez, or J.Lo as she’s known by fans, and Shakira. Both are strong performers with unique styles. Both are dancers with two decades, three or more for J.Lo, under their belts. And both tend to wear little clothing and twist and shake in ways many Christians might find inappropriate. The question many asked after the show was how could J.Lo and Shakira do this in the midst of the #MeToo Movement? Don’t they realize that they aren’t empowering women?

Think about these things…
Think about these things…

I’ve had the joy of leading a book club through my newest book Sacred Endurance. Today, we did a short discussion on Chapters 5 and 6. Chapter 5 is likely one of the most important chapters in the book. In it, I consider the ways we struggle to endure because of our minds. It’s easy to act a certain way because our actions are seen by others. We can pretend to be okay. We can pretend to love. We can pretend to be pure. But our thoughts reveal what’s truly in our hearts. What we think reveals what we truly believe about God. That’s why I dedicated a chapter to our enduring and the mind.

Where I’m From: A Writing Prompt
Where I’m From: A Writing Prompt

Yesterday was the second time a group of authors and singer/songwriters gathered together in Nashville to develop a CD and accompanying book. I am a part of that group of talented women. I’m not a songwriter but I have had the opportunity to now contribute to three songs. Today will be the fourth. It’s been a thrilling ride and I look forward to sharing this work with you. But today I’d like to share one of the exercises we are doing to get our creative juices flowing.

Isaiah Christmas
Isaiah Christmas

Every year since Tony Reinke introduced his Isaiah Christmas online reading club, I’ve taken up reading the wonderful book through the month of December. This year is no different. Although I’m terrible at remembering to use the hashtag associated with it, you can follow along via Twitter (and possibly Facebook) following the hashtag #IsaiahChristmas. And by all means, join us.

A Fresh Look at Proverbs 31
A Fresh Look at Proverbs 31

This past week I joined five storytellers in Rwanda to meet the incredible men and women served by HOPE International and capture stories. The stories are wonderfully encouraging but their lives were a lesson to me. On Tuesday, we drove out with another organization (Aziza Life) to learn from women of the Abumurvava Village, which means “The Courageous People” and experience the typical lifestyle of a woman in the countryside. As we drove out to this village and as I interacted with the women, I couldn’t get Proverbs 31, the famous Hebrews poem, out of my head.

Trillia Newbell
Previous

Helping Your Children See
Next

Rejoice in Each Other’s Gifts and Strengths