Sing aloud unto God our strength: make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob. Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery. Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day. For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob. (vv 1-4)
Those listening to this song are encouraged to sing loudly, lustily even, at their feasts; even during the solemn ones. We gather then, that God was as much a part of their festivals as their worship services. Such exuberant praise celebrations are a commandment from God (vv 4-5); a fact that is confirmed in the following verses, when He begins to speak:
I heard an unknown voice say, “Now I will take the load from your shoulders; I will free your hands from their heavy tasks. You cried to me in trouble, and I saved you; I answered out of the thundercloud and tested your faith when there was no water at Meribah. (vv 6-7 NLT)
There is a heart-wrenching sense that God longs for a relationship with His children in this psalm. He responded to their cries for help and freed them from oppressive burden. In turn, they shrugged off His call to them and wandered off to serve other gods! Dear Saint, God's desire is still the same today. He set you and me free from the bonds of death and adopted us into His family. But those who come to Him must do so wholeheartedly. As Jesus told the Jews:
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Matt 6:24)
The Israelites brought their sacrifices to God, but they were only going through the motions of worship. This was not acceptable to God then, and isn't now. (Isaiah 29:13-15) God is calling you into a meaningful relationship - one where He is your Lord and you are His servant. He is a jealous God and will accept no less than full devotion to Him. The thing to note is, when you fully receive what He offers, you win!
Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things... I would feed you with the finest wheat. I would satisfy you with wild honey from the rock. (vv 10, 16)
Make up your mind to follow only God Almighty for the rest of your life. Let your acts of worship be truthful and meaningful. If you are a musician, play skilfully and often for your heavenly audience of One. If you're a singer, let Him hear you dulcet tones in resounding praise.
And if you are neither, praise Him wildly and joyfully, anyway!
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