Day 50 - Sing before the judge?

Psalm 96 really boggles my mind - especially verses 11-13.  It is a call to worship to the whole world and everything in it to sing and rejoice because the Lord will come to judge the world and its people.  He says, "Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them.  Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the LORD for he comes, he comes to judge the earth.  He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His truth."  I recall as a young believer sharing these verses and others (like the ones that say the rocks will cry out) with my Dad.  He was amazed to imagine the rocks, trees, and all creation rejoicing.  Now I see the rest of the message and I too stand amazed - they (and we) are to rejoice not just because the LORD is coming, but because He is coming to judge us! 

God is spoken of here as Dayan - the judge and advocate.  In other scriptures this word also translates to witness.  An advocate is one who speaks, pleads or argues in favor of.  The judge ends all dispute and settles matters conclusively, and the witness tells what really happened.  The thought of this three-fold experience makes my 'wheels' spin with memories.  Imagine a video tape (oops dating myself) a DVD playing with all that I have said and done (or not said or done that I should have).  The witness will have conclusive proof.  BUT I will have an advocate pleading on my behalf that He already bore my punishment and the judge will conclusively settle the matter, and end all dispute.  For the sake of brevity this is an extremely simple and condensed view of the judgment - but the main point is just thinking about this should make me sing!  There is no mention of fear, only rejoicing, resounding, being jubilant, singing for joy because He comes to judge!

The ONLY way I could ever do that is if I am totally trusting in the words and work of Jesus Christ on my behalf.  Instead of my childish imagination of an old man with a long beard on a throne, pointy finger and grouchy outlook watching to get me, I now have the right picture of my judge, my advocate and my witness,  coming and making all things right on my behalf and to God's glory. Whew (I mean, Wow!) Knowing that, I DO want to sing, and shout and dance right along with all creation.  Here comes the judge!

Midday meal:  Sunburst Breakfast - Golden Acorn Squash, centered with one egg.  Condiments are about 1 oz. of buffalo filet cut in small squares, about 2 tsp. sour cream thinned with rice milk, all seasoned with cumin and Celtic salt.
Very pretty and delicious.

Evening snack:  Golden delicious apple slices