Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Psalm 100:1
Snuggled under the covers in my bed, I waited to drift off to sleep, but realized something was not quite right. As I listened in the silence, I realized the silence was the problem! Moving quickly from my warm haven to the floor, I felt in the dark for the switch. As the click sounded and the blades began to whir, I crawled gratefully back in my nest. Hearing my husband’s sigh, I grinned as I again settled down for the night. Almost ten years of marriage does not appear to have yet conditioned Dave to sound of the fan that I can’t seem to sleep without!
Noise. White noise, loud noise, quiet hums, whispers, shouts, cries and sighs; not to mention all manufactured sounds, our world is filled with noise. As the alarm clock sounds, I moan that morning is ready here. I groan as I get out of the bed. My joints make creak where sounds did not previously exist. Stepping on the scale either brings frustrated “humph” of annoyance or a “whoop” of delight.
Deep sighs echo in my cubby as I work through a complex project. A whine surfaces if lunch is not as I expected. An angry “ahk” is escapes my lips when my fellow commuters are aggressive on the highway. An irritated moan bubbles up as see the long wait at the checkout line.
A sigh of relief comes the minute I walk in the door and kick off my shoes. A grumble creeps out as I realize that the laundry pile I thought was done suddenly reappears as someone finally realizes the only way the clothes on their floor will get washed is if they actually make into the laundry room.
Ezra 3:13 No one could distinguish the sound of the shouts of joy from the sound of weeping, because the people made so much noise.
I make a lot of noise during the day and in review, most of it is not joyful. Yes, I will share a gasp of delight, an appreciative “ahh” at something sweet or endearing, but for the most part, my noise is negative. God is willing to listen to all my concerns, frustration (Psalm 62:8 & Lamentations 2:19), but the Psalms calls us to make a “joyful noise:
• Psalm 66:1 Make a joyful noise unto God, all the earth
• Psalm 81:1 Sing aloud unto God our strength: Make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
• Psalm 95:1 Oh come, let us sing unto Jehovah; Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.
• Psalm 95:2 Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; Let us make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.
• Psalm 98:4 Make a joyful noise unto Jehovah, all the earth: Break forth and sing for joy, yea, sing praises.
• Psalm 98:6 With trumpets and sound of cornet Make a joyful noise before the King, Jehovah.
• Psalm 100:1 Make a joyful noise unto Jehovah, all ye lands.
Beloved, we are all really experienced at cheering for our children, our favorite sports teams, and contests on game or reality shows, sighing in pleasure over a decadent desert or the end of a good movie, but what about the noises we send up to God? Have you make a whoop of joy over His daily blessings, send up a “WOOHOO” at the gift of grace, gasped at a beautiful sunset or sighed over the beauty of His Word? Have you raised a joyful noise to Him today?
Careful Considerations: What kind of noise do you make? Does it add to the din of the world’s constant clamor….or are your sounds and words a joyful noise to the Lord?
Heavenly Father, Who is like You among the gods, O LORD? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders? (Exodus 15:11) The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; This is my God, and I will praise Him; my father's God, and I will extol Him (Exodus 15:2) For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; He also is to be feared above all gods (1 Chron 16:25). Precious Father, I pray that we make noises of contentment, joy, assurance, commitment and praise to You today and always. As You are in our praises (Psalm 22:1-3) may Your praises be always on our lips. In the name of Jesus, our Savior, Amen.
Hugs and Prayers,
Gwenda
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