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Joy

Christians should be joyful people. Unfortunately we often present ourselves to the world as angry or sourpusses, and the world understandably will not find our faith attractive. 

We should be joyful because God has been good to us. We will certainly face hardships just like everyone else, but God has supplied us with eternal blessings. On our worst day we still have our sins forgiven, God's Holy Spirit within us, and a future home with the Lord. 

So we should be joyful. And if we are joyful, we should make a noise. Psalm 100 begins with these words: "Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!" We typically associate this "noise" with singing. 

Some people act as if the instruction is to make a solemn noise to the Lord. Church, they say, is a place of quiet reverence. No instruments, no clapping, no raising of the hands. But the Bible frequently tells us to praise God with shouts, with clapping, and with instruments (even percussion!). Around God's throne are people from every nation, tribe, and tongue worshipping Him, and that means there will be instruments from every culture--even dancing! So make a joyful noise. 

Some think the verse says to make a noise in perfect pitch. They say, "I'm not a good singer. I'll let those who are praise God for me." But we aren't auditioning for American Idol, we are thanking God for all He has done for us. So make a joyful noise, even if it is off key.

But a joyful noise is not limited to our singing. We should make joyful noises all the time, in all of our conversations. We should praise our Savior with joyful noise, but when we communicate to others, our noise should be just as joyful. I'm not advocating watering down the truth, I'm calling for love, seasoning every word with salt. 

In all of our interactions, in all of our noise, let's strive for being joyful.  

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