“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music. Break out in praise and sing for joy. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, break forth into joyous songs and sing praises. Shout joyfully to the Lord. Make a loud noise. Exult and glorify the Lord. Send out a glad cry to the Lord. Make melody. Rejoice. Sing Psalms. Praise Him with songs.”- Ps 98:4
The above, compiled from different translations of Ps 98:4, depicts a breaking forth in joy that can not be confined, concealed or repressed. It is expressed in a loud shout of praise. It is an expression of a deliberate decision not to hold back the praise due to God. As water ebulliates at boiling point, so joy bubbles up and burst out in a loud praise and thanksgiving. It encourages us to sing with vigor, with all our strength from a heart that is full of joy and happiness.
The call to shout to the Lord with a loud praise is expressed in several verses of the Bible: Shout aloud. Shout for joy. Shout with joy. Sing a new song. Play skillfully. Burst into songs of joy. Let the sound of His praise be heard. See Ps 66:8, 100:1, Is 44:23 and 52:9. Ps 47:1 added another dimension as it calls us to “Clap our hands. Shout to God with cries of joy”. This is not silent praise at all. It is loud, it is heard, it is jubilant and it is with joyful gladness.
This was the call of the Psalmist to all the earth and indeed, the call of God to my heart last month: to extend my voice of praise to the highest pitch and to heap praise and adoration on Him in a loud voice.
At the beginning of October I was led to do something different in my fellowship with God during the month. I decided that I will not conceal His praise within my heart but with a loud voice I will offer praise to God. I was led to carve out a time each day to lift up my voice in high praise, singing brand new songs of praise, hymns and choruses. I have truly experienced the presence of God during this extended period of exultant and loud praise everyday of October. Amazingly, I found myself singing at a pitch I had not been able to do for a very long time. I simply did not have enough breathe to do so. But the Giver of life and breath gave life and breath to my lungs and restored to me the capacity to sing. The result has been an overwhelming and irrepressible joy, and sweet refreshing restoration to which I continue to testify in different spheres of my life. It has been a month of exhilarating joy dwelling in His presence through exultant praise. In His presence, the Bible says there is fullness of joy and pleasure for ever.
Sometimes we may have to give a sacrificial praise or praise God in advance of what we are waiting on Him for. It is a sacrifice of praise irrespective of whatever else that may be going on around us. Overflowing with joy is simply an act of faith at such times when there are boisterous storm whirling around us. It was a choice that despite some bad news that I will still remain joyful. The devil didn't give me this joy, so he can't take it from me. I was not giving it up to him! I will rejoice in God and be glad. I will give thanks and glory to God for His many acts of wonder in my life. He that is capable of deep and reflective thinking will have a grateful heart.
Sometimes we may have to give a sacrificial praise or praise God in advance of what we are waiting on Him for. It is a sacrifice of praise irrespective of whatever else that may be going on around us. Overflowing with joy is simply an act of faith at such times when there are boisterous storm whirling around us. It was a choice that despite some bad news that I will still remain joyful. The devil didn't give me this joy, so he can't take it from me. I was not giving it up to him! I will rejoice in God and be glad. I will give thanks and glory to God for His many acts of wonder in my life. He that is capable of deep and reflective thinking will have a grateful heart.
I have so much to be thankful for. I have been blessed. During the month, I had the strength to minister in songs in church, which I had not been able to do for over a year. Twice I drove my car and went to the shop unaccompanied. A feat that was impossible the previous month. I had strength restored enough for me to drive, to walk in the garden and go up the staircase without stopping to catch my breath. Oh I count my blessings! I am amazed how much God has given me the grace to do over the past month.
When God is lifted up in exultant and jubilant shout of praise, walls of limitations will hear and will come tumbling down. Giants mocking you will hear and fall flat. Shackles holding you bound will be shattered. Yokes and burdens will be lifted. The children of Israel, David, Paul and Silas can all testify of this and so can I!
Deliberately taking note of God’s many acts of kindness and wonderful works in our lives and praising Him for them is a choice we all must make. It is so much easier to focus on the things we are yet to have and the things we desire that we forget to pay attention to the so many blessings we receive each day.
Will you and your spouse carve out time to experience the presence of God together as you engage in a period of loud praise? What wonderful joy shall burst forth in your lives as you do so and with it God shall bring restoration, newness and freshness into your lives and into your marriage? I am pleased to share with you this rich song of praise by John Mason. Spiritual Song. 1683.
“I’ve found the Pearl of greatest price,
My heart doth sing for joy;
And sing I must, for Christ is mine;
Christ shall my song employ.”
This post was shared by email last Friday. I am posting it to provide a background for the next post.My heart doth sing for joy;
And sing I must, for Christ is mine;
Christ shall my song employ.”
Irene O.
I join you in rejoicing, indeed when we count our blessings we testify to God's glory and open the door for more.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations my dear. Our God is so big, so mighty and true, there is nothing he cannot do. For you and for me,
Bisi