CALLED TO CELEBRATE

“Meanwhile, David and all the house of Israel were CELEBRATING before the LORD with all kinds of instruments made of fir wood, and with lyres, harps, tambourines, castanets and cymbals” – 2 Samuel 6:5 (NASB)

We are CALLED to CELEBRATE – to celebrate GOD, His Person and all of His works every day: “This is the DAY which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it” (Psa.118:24). Celebration is central to life. Christians in particular, celebrate all stages of life, knowing that God is at the centre of all that is good. We mark milestones and events, acknowledging that every day and every gift comes from the Father’s good hand: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (Jam.1:17).

The Bible is full of celebration. The God of the Bible is alive and lively! Feasting, rest, and social life were not only offered to Israel, God mandated them as integral to community. GLADNESS is God's gift to humanity. Ecclesiastes 3:13 affirms “…that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor – it is the gift of God.” Solomon encouraged a joyful attitude toward life because every part of life – eating, drinking, work, and relationships – could be pleasurable with God's approval (Ecc. 9:7-10). Moreover, Israel took it as given that their worship included joyful celebration: “You shall have a song as in the night when a holy festival is kept, and gladness of heart as when one goes with a flute, to come into the mountain of the Lord, to the Mighty One of Israel” (Isa.30:29).

The Christian life is not meant to be dull and boring. That’s the wrong impression the world tries to portray. But the Bible presents a different picture; it is filled with glorious celebrations, including the celebration of family milestones – birth, stages of life, weddings, and funerals. Other family events mentioned include weaning a child (Gen. 21:8) and the return of a prodigal son (Lk. 15:23-24, 32). We see celebration after the children of Israel escaped Egypt. Again, there is great celebration in our meditation text describing the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem after it had been captured by the Philistines. Finally, the book of Revelation describes Heaven as being filled with joyous celebration.

The end of a fading year and the beginning of a new year often provide excuses for many in the world to engage in revelry. But Believers have other reasons to celebrate. Our sins have been forgiven. Our souls are saved. We serve the living God, who knows the future, and has declared “the end from the beginning” (Isa. 46:10). The heart of Christian celebration does not depend on props like carnal entertainment and alcohol that loosen people up to be uninhibited enough to be excited. Instead, sanctified celebration rests on our inner joy at belonging to a wonderful God and being included in His family. Our life of worship is a continuing, overflowing jubilee. It wraps itself around those nearby, rejoicing in the God-given opportunities, accomplishments, and relationships.

God wants us to be so confident and fulfilled that we can sing for joy: “But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You” (Psa.5:11). Like David, we can express our faith with “shouts of joy.” And we can “sing praises to the LORD” (Psa.27:6). We even can “praise His name with dancing” and “sing praises to Him with timbrel and lyre” (Psa.149:3). Today, let’s ponder about all God has done for us. Let’s be bold to express the joy He has brought into our lives. Let’s thank Him for His blessings and faithfulness.

Think about how He has forgiven your sins, answered your prayers, and given you victories! Praise Him in advance for answering your prayers in the New Year. Don’t be a mere spectator or casual observer. CELEBRATE! Let your heart be filled with gladness and joy!