Shout
Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. ~ Psalms 100:1-2
At times, it seems we, as God’s people, hesitate to approach Him as though we are welcome in His presence. Some believers feel they must come to Him cautiously, almost as if crawling, worried about upsetting or irritating Him. Others may avoid talking to Him altogether, convinced He is too busy with “bigger” issues to care about their concerns. Some even believe that the music we offer to God must always be solemn and slow, almost like a dirge, assuming this is the only way to please Him. Like He is always serious and He never wants us to have any enjoyment in life.
But Psalm 100 paints a very different picture of how God wants us to approach Him. It’s an invitation to joy, gladness, and song! It calls us to shout out loud an uninhibited expression of praise. Not because God needs our noise, but because we were created to worship Him with unrestrained hearts. He doesn’t ask for perfection in our singing or worship; He asks for authenticity and genuine love and praise for being welcomed into His family.
Why would God, the Creator of the universe, want to hear our imperfect songs and joyful noise? The psalm itself gives us the answer: because He is God. He made us. We are His people, the sheep of His pasture. This truth is, He invites us to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise, not out of obligation, but out of a deep recognition of His goodness, mercy, and enduring love.
So why not shout? Why not sing, even if you’re off-key? Why not serve Him with gladness and gratitude, reflecting the joy of a God who loves us unconditionally and rescued us from eternal separation?
As we begin this new year, we have the opportunity to start fresh in out entering His presence. Here are some suggestions on what to do to change your approach to your heavenly Father.
- Start your day with gratitude. Begin each morning by thanking God for His goodness and faithfulness. Write down three things you’re grateful for, and let that list guide your prayers and worship.
- Add joy into your worship. When you sing at church or during personal devotion, let go of self-consciousness. Focus on expressing your love for God, not on how you sound. Remember, He delights in the praises of His people.
- Serve Him with gladness. Whether you’re volunteering at church, helping a neighbor, or doing everyday tasks, do it with a joyful heart. Serve as if you’re serving the Lord Himself, because you are. (Colossians 3:23).
- Turn worry into worship. When you feel overwhelmed by life’s challenges, remember that God is bigger than any problem you face. Instead of dwelling on worries, spend a few moments praising Him for His power, love, and faithfulness in all areas of your life.
- Make worship a lifestyle. Psalm 100 reminds us that worship isn’t confined to Sundays or formal gatherings. Let your life be a continual act of praise through your words, actions, and attitudes.
Today I want to encourage you to remember that God doesn’t require you to be perfect, polished, or professional in your worship. He simply asks that you come to Him with hearts full of joy and gratitude, shouting His praises and basking in the truth that you are His child. Let today be a day of rejoicing in the Lord, for His goodness and mercy endure forever! And go ahead and shout about it!
Today’s scripture reading: Psalms 100
1 Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands!
2 Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing.
3 Know that the Lord, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
5 For the Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting, and His truth endures to all generations.
The Daily Dose 