Psalm 100:1

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.”

Have you ever gotten excited? You know, like when something unbelievably awesome happened. You were sitting on pins and needles next to the phone trying to wish it into ringing, or you were waiting to see the results on a test and you knew it would be good but your anticipation was about to make you pop! Then the ring! Or the test came back and you were floored by the results! Jitters and nerves had worked up in your system to the point that you could no longer contain the excitement, and you let out a “WOOOOOHOOOOO!!!!” or whatever your magic happiness word is: “EUREKA,” or “YEAH!,” or maybe you are a “WWHHHAAAAATTTTTT!?!!”-er. Whatever your magical happiness word (or even the silly little jig that you do), I know that you have had that moment of inexplicable, inarticulate excitement. It is human to have those moments of absolute excitement wound-up in high octane, shout-declaring jubilation.
This is because God designed us to be impressed. We were literally created with this built in desire to express our elation. We were meant to get excited, and we were designed with voices that could declare that joyousness. Hebrews 13:15 tells us that the object of our verbal euphoria should be the One that created us. It says that just like the Old Testament people brought sacrifices to God, we should bring a type of offering: “Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually…[and] thanks to his name.” The wonder of His working in our lives should result in audible “WOW!!!” sacrifices.
The psalmist draws us into this idea into Psalm 100:1. The word translated as “a joyful noise” literally is speaking of the triumphant shouting that took place at the end of a victorious battle. We are on the winning side. The accomplishment of Jesus over death on the cross has brought us hope. He lived perfectly so that we could approach God in righteousness. He died so that we would not have to. He rose again to break the chains of death and the power of the grave. He left us here with His comforting Spirit to help us daily.
Let out a shout for Jesus today! Exalt His great name! Praise Him for what He has done for us and offers to us! Make a joyful noise!

Food For Thought: What is the psalmist talking about when he says “Make a joyful noise”? What are a couple of ways that you can do that today?