“Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the lands! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!” – Psalm 100:1

I am a Seattle Seahawks fan. The Seattle Seahawks fans are known for their loudness. It is said they are louder than when an airplane is about to takeoff. In 2013, the Seahawks fans screamed and made such a loud noise such that they caused a small earthquake which registered 137.6 decibels! The Seattle Seahawks fans are serious about their support of their beloved team.

Psalm 100 encourages God’s people to worship God without any restraints. The Psalmist exhorts the people to freely express their love for God. For us today, we are to freely worship God. We are to remove all restraints which inhibit us from articulating our undying love for God.

Why joyful noise?

SAVED. We are to be joyful because we are no longer slaves to sin. God set us free. “We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the sinful body might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.” – Romans 6:6

GOD’S PRESENCE. Our present circumstance, though not perfect, is much better than where we were. The past was doom and gloom. God redeemed us from a dark past. Here, in the present, the presence of God sustains us. We are joyful because God is with us, no matter the circumstances. “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” – Psalm 16:11

VICTORY. We are joyful because we are over-comers. We can do all things through Christ who gives us strength.  ^“I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13

ANSWERED PRAYERS. Many of us can name a few or many answered prayers. We owe it to God to thank Him for hearing our prayers. We owe it to Him to thank Him for all His blessings and miracles.

THE FUTURE. We are full of hope for the future. God is preparing a bright future for us. Why should we be sad? We will not let the pain of yesterday rob us of the future that awaits us. “What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived”— the things God has prepared for those who love him.” – I Corinthians 2:9.

We might not cause the earth to shake like the Seattle Seahawks fans do, but we must not shy away from a deep expression of our love for God. Our joyful noise for God must shake the gates of Hades. Are you ready to make a joyful noise to the Lord?