CELEBRATE YOUR BLESSING WITH A JOYFUL SHOUT!
Blessed are those who know the joyfulH8643 sound, who walk, O LORD, in the light of Your presence. They rejoiceH1523 in Your name all day long, and in Your righteousness they exult. For You are the glory of their strength, and by Your favor our horn is exalted.
Psalm 89:15-17
Even though the latter part of the Psalm is a lament over the seeming end of the Davidic Dynasty, the psalmist knows and trusts that God promised an obedient King from David’s lineage would rule and reign forever. We know this King to be Jesus Christ. Even though the psalmist lived before the fulfillment of God’s promise through Jesus, he still exulted in God’s blessings to Israel and all who rejoice in His name; and he believed God would keep His promise to David. Jewish festivals began with trumpet blasts and joyful shouts. The worshippers celebrated God who had chosen them to be His people. God has chosen those of us who follow Jesus to be His people, His adopted children. He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3). Do we shout joyfully because of the privilege of walking in God’s presence? Do we rejoice at the sound of the name Jesus? Or do we get more excited about sporting events or Hollywood entertainers? Do we celebrate His righteousness that He has graciously credited to our account? Or are we so beaten down by the mundanity of daily life, that we cease to see our blessings? Let us get less dragged down by the daily challenges and more revved up by the promises and the faithful provision of our Heavenly Father.
Take a few minutes to count your blessings. Perhaps you could even write them down in a journal or as was suggested to us put them on strips of paper and keep them in a blessing jar. Then you can pull some out to be reminded of God’s faithfulness when things seem to be going awry. After dwelling on the good gifts your Father has bestowed on you, give a joyful shout. It’s okay to shout in your house. It might even be okay to shout in God’s house next Sunday!
Father, help us to go to sleep counting our blessings rather than worrying about tomorrow. Help us rejoice in You!
Some good reminders in song: Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXKxazgio2s
Or Guy Penrod: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=900jWVSWS3M