SHOUT 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” – Psalm 5:11

One of the ways of knowing the Lovers of God is by their SHOUT of 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” (v.11). Of course, people shout for a variety of reasons: some shout to be heard when they are angry, excited or feel they are being ignored. Others shout because they want someone to hear them. God wants us to SHOUT for JOY. When last did you shout with joy to the Lord? How long has it been since you were so overwhelmed by His goodness that you shouted out His Praise? The Voice of Rejoicing and shouts of Victory are meant to be domiciled in the tents of God's people (Psa.118:15).

We have so much to be grateful for and excited about in the Lord! Think about it. Is salvation, redemption or the Holy Spirit’s empowerment not something worthy to shout about? The Lord has saved us from the compulsion to sin, and from a life of sinful misery without hope. He saves us from an eternity in hell. Is this future not something to shout about? The Lord has guaranteed our acceptance into His eternal Kingdom. He has prepared a place for us that surpasses human understanding; a place so pure and holy that no trace of sin or its consequences will ever be found. Our ultimate home is a place where the glory of Christ will always shine and never go dim. It is a place where we will never be afraid or experience pain or sorrow again. There, we will be surrounded forever by all the saints who have ever lived and who have been perfected by God.

Beloved, the resources God has provided for us are worthy of shouting about. He has made available to us all that pertains to “life and godliness” – to walk worthy before Him (2Pet.1:3). It is not beyond our reach to live in Victory. We have God’s Word, His Spirit, His Body – the Church, and a great cloud of witnesses always around us to spur us on. Psalm 100:1-2 says, “Make a JOYFUL SHOUT to the Lord, all you lands! Serve the Lord with gladness” (Psa.100:2). What’s your response? Here is mine: “Lord, I will SHOUT WITH JOY to You! I’ll cause my voice to be heard loud and clear, that You, the Lord, are my God! You are ever faithful, true, and good! My heart shall rejoice and shout the Good News so all will hear”!

There is a divienly-inspired Shout in the Holy Spirit. It is when people have not received the Holy Spirit that's such spiritual actions mystify them. Indeed, when a Believer or Church NEVER has reasons to shout, the Power of the Holy Spirit may actually be missing from among such. Wherever the Holy Spirit is recognised and revered, the Presence and Shout of the King will be announced! It was not a quiet affair on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit began His dispensation with the Church: “And suddenly there came a SOUND from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2). The Holy Spirit announced His Presence with a Bang! Were they quiet afterwards? No! Acts 2:4 says, "And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Faith speaks, sings,a nd shouts. Soundless and silent believers are usually ‘sign-less’!

When the Holy Spirit comes in and saturates your being, irrespective of how quiet your natural disposition is, you can't be quiet anymore. This does not mean that you become loquacious; it does mean that His power will often stir you to SHOUT for JOY and affirm God’s Word with boldness. It's not a shout of pandemonium, but the shout of a king; the Victory Shout!