Make a Joyful Noise....

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
Psalm 100:1-2

Psalm 100 is one of the shorter Psalms but it contains marvelous reminders of the goodness of the Lord. It begins with a call to praise, to make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing! We are to be people who enjoy the Lord, who have His praise always on our lips (Ps 34:1).

We are to serve Him not as reluctant servants but as joyful children, glad to do the will of our Father.

The Psalmist tells us why these things should be: Know that the Lord, He is God! It is He, who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. He is the creator of all. We worship and enjoy the one who made us and has called us to be His people. We are His sheep. His pasture is rich and nourishing, providing comfort and safety and the delightful presence of the Good Shepherd.

We are to enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name! How often are we sour and gloomy when we gather to praise God? We must use even our emotions to the glory of God, approaching Him with joy and gladness. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and praise! Thank the Lord and bless Him!

Remember that the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations. He will never leave you nor forsake you. His love is steadfast and unending. He will be faithful to all generations of those who are His children. You people of God, make a joyful noise to the Lord!

Time with God

Joy

Where does joy come?

A moment with God….

So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God. Romans 5:11

For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.” Zephaniah 3:17

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Philippians 4:4-5

Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have.  I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. Philippians 4:11-12

Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces… Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him! Psalm 34:5, 8

Thoughts from God’s Word….

We are an emotional being because God created us with feelings!! It is not unusual or abnormal to experience emotional and spiritual highs and lows. However, the joy and contentment to which these verses refer run much deeper then the emotions of the moment. Real joy is more than happiness. This kind of joy is like a strong current that runs beneath the stormy surface of our feelings. In essence, joy is the celebration of walking with God. It is a sense of security that can come only from being held by an eternal God. It is peace, knowing God accepts us for who we are and that He wants us in heaven with Him forever. You experience joy through the quiet confidence that God is guiding us at all times and in all things and through knowing that wherever He guides us, we will have peace of mind.