Shout to the Lord

This is my grand-
daughter, Regan. Look at the face. God made us so happy the day that she was born. A child's happiness is uninhibited and spontaneous.

Psalms 100: "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs."

This morning my family visited another Church of Christ in the nearby area where our son and daugher in law worship. The Praise Team sang beautifully. They led the congregation in a time of spirit filled worship and praise to God like I don't usually get to experience. As we sang, a few of the songs of joy were accentuated by claps of happiness and praise for our Lord because He has done so much for us. Praise be to Him.

While we clapped, I looked at my little granddaughter who, in her innocence, was smiling and clapping along with all of us who were singing. What joy was on her face! Clapping is such a natural way of expressing joy. Isn't it? I'm glad I could worship with that Christian group of people this morning and see Regan enjoying the time as well.

Psalms 47:1 "Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy. How awesome is the Lord Most High, the great King over all the earth!"

It is too bad that more Christians do not feel free to express themselves like Regan does. We, who are part of a stricter code where we attend church, are reluctant to clap or praise God with hands lifted to Him for fear of "offending the weaker brother". Maybe we should allow the Spirit to move within us. Instead of offending our brother, we encourage him in the name of the Lord. We can be an example of a Christian expressing our praise and thankgiving to the almighty God. We can shout to the Lord as the mountains burst into song.

Christians judging other Christians for clapping to a joyful song of praise, need to re-visit scripture. It is so sad that they think it necessary to tell us that a clap is disorderly in our worship services. It makes me feel sorry for that person that can not express their happiness about the free salvation that is ours through Jesus Christ. How do we express our enthusiasm at a sporting event, a birthday party, an anniversary or the birth of a baby? We clap, we laugh, we tell all the world in a jubilant way that we are happy and blessed.

Isaiah 55:12 "You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace' the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. ...This will be for the Lord's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed."