Clap!

Psalm 47 

Applause.
The sound of approving people.
Praising, rejoicing.

Some are closing their eyes, the surrounding skin wrinkling as their smiles reflect satisfied, happy, hopeful hearts.
Crowds of people, clapping their hands. 

The sound is rhythmic.

The people are praising their King.
And they clap.
In fact, they clap with JOY.

This is a Psalm for rejoicing about the power of God. 
About the Kingship of God.
About the authority of God.
About the wisdom of God.
It is about praising God with songs.

And it opens with, "Come, everyone, and clap your hands for JOY!" (Ps. 47:1, NLT)

Like a child after opening a gift, who jumps up to her feet. She claps her hands together with glee.
JOY.
Like sports fans who cheer for their winning team. They stand up and clap their hands together with celebration.
JOY.
Like a citizen, listening to the leader deliver a speech filled with hope and promise. He claps his hands together with agreement.
JOY.
Like parents seeing their child perform. They rise up and clap their hands together with beautiful pride and praise.
JOY.
Like a people who have been liberated from a powerful enemy. They cry, shout, and sing their praise for their rescuer, clapping their hands as tears stream down their cheeks.
JOY.

Come, everyone! Clap your hands for JOY!
"Shout to God with joyful praise! For the Lord Most High is awesome." (Ps. 47:1-2, NLT) 


Lesson in the journey ~ It is good to express our JOY.
  

River of Joy

Psalm 46

We see earthquakes shake.
We see mountains crashing to the bottom of the sea.
We hear the oceans crash and roar.
Mountains shake with the surging of the waters.

And we can take refuge.

"A river brings JOY to the city of God ..." (Ps.46:4, NLT)

The city of God.
Where God dwells.
Where He protects.

The city of God.
We dwell in Him.
We take refuge in Him.
We find strength in Him.
He is our fortress.

And there is JOY.

Christ Himself is the Living Water that brings hope and life to us.
He is a river of JOY to our thirsty hearts.
We see victory in Him.

We still our minds.
We still our hearts.
We silence our doubts.

"Be still and know that I am God." (vs.10)

Gentle waters flow through the power of a life source that can't be stopped. Waters bring refreshing, healing, growth, hope.
And JOY.
Be still.
Be still and know.
Be still and know that God is.
God is our refuge and our strength. An ever present help in trouble. (vs.1)

A river brings JOY ... 


Lesson in the journey ~ JOY flows like a river to the fortress of God.

The Origin of the Joy

Psalm 43

There is a lot of talk about being happy. Of longing and searching to have joy, to have happiness ~ sometimes the likes of which are confused. We live in a time and culture that seeks deeply. Yet in that seeking, there is deception. We turn to money, careers, people, religious practices, sex - you name it, we try to fill up with it. People are scrambled as they search and the atmosphere of longing becomes blurry.
Way back when people were settling the land, looking for the best property to build a home and live, they would long for the land with a river running through. Or land near another body of water. Near a source of life. Water meant a drink for herds of animals; water meant nourishment for crops; water meant ease of transporting goods. Life. Sustenance.

In Psalm 43, the author is in a desperate place. He is hurt. He is oppressed. He is discouraged and sad.
Yet, he goes to the source. He goes to the place where JOY originates. He knows where to find true joy. Not fleeting happy feelings, but truth. Not a quick fix, but lasting hope. Not shallow feel-goods, but deep-rooted connection. Not self discovery, but self surrender.

"I will go to the altar of God, to God - the source of all my JOY." (Ps.43:4, NLT)

The Psalmist calls out, "Take up my cause!", (vs.1)
"Defend me ...", (vs.1)
"Rescue me ...", (vs.1)
"Guide me ...", (vs.3)
"Lead me ...", (vs.3)

But then,

"There I will go ... I will praise You ... I will put my hope in You ..." (vs.4,5)

The writer knew where to plant his hope. He knew to dig deep and soak in the wellspring of life. He knew where to find truth. How to be filled. He knew to go to the real source of all JOY. 



Lesson in the journey ~ seek with wisdom to find the true source of JOY.