Make a Joyful Noise

I marvel at the news reports of Black Friday, the biggest day of the year for retail sales. Sleeping out in the cold for the best place in line goes beyond my imagination. Since I’m not trained for combat, I don’t venture out on Black Friday. I have no desire to be embroiled in the pushing, grabbing, fights, and offensive language. (To be fair, there seems to be much less of that locally than what I see nationally.)

However, what really causes me sadness is the desperation that breeds such greed and selfishness. Apparently, we have a need to grab all we can because tomorrow may not come. Our world seems to teeter on the brink of political, economic, and/or natural disaster. At any moment, our entire lives could change. But so has it ever been—think Pearl Harbor or Twin Towers. I’m grateful our security doesn’t rely on government or circumstances. Because of God’s great love, we can not only be grateful, we can be gracious.

The fact that you’re reading this means you have an education and live in a country where freedom of speech still exits. I can also imagine you have a roof over your head, adequate food and clothing, and someone who cares about you.

God gives us such abundance so we can share. This season let’s turn our eyes on God and focus on what we have instead of what we wish we had. I encourage you to shout about the good stuff.

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands.
Serve the Lord with gladness: Come before his presence with singing.
Know ye that the Lord he is God: It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise: Be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; And his truth endureth to all generations.”
(Psalm 100:1–5 KJV 1900—the version I memorized as a kid).

I’m so thankful for the faithful followers of this blog. May God richly bless you this season and throughout your life.