THE SHOUT OF VICTORY

“So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a GREAT SHOUT, that the wall fell down flat…” – Joshua 6:20a

People have different reasons for shouting, but as Believers in Christ, we are to engage in the SHOUT of VICTORY: “So the people shouted when the priests blew the trumpets. And it happened when the people heard the sound of the trumpet, and the people shouted with a great shout, that the wall fell down flat. Then the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they took the city” (v.20). We shout unto the Lord with the VOICE of TRIUMPH: “O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph” (Psa.47:1). Thinking about life, the psalmist realised all that God had done for Him. And his heart overflowed with gratitude and praise.

Some people shout out of anger or exasperation, others out of fear; but as Christians, we shout in Victory and with the Voice of Triumph. Such was the shout the children of Israel as the strategy for conquering Jericho. As they journeyed to the Promised Land and got to Jericho, the city was secured with imposing and seemingly impenetrable walls (v.1). The Lord, however, gave Joshua the ‘SHOUT STRATEGY’ to conquer Jericho: “…It shall come to pass, when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, that all the people shall shout with a great shout; then the wall of the city will fall down flat. And the people shall go up every man straight before him” (vv.2-5). When the people did as the Lord instructed, the walls came down flat (v.20).

Some people misunderstand our Shouting in Praise, wondering if it is spiritual. They sometimes joke that God is not hard of hearing. Actually, God is never embarrassed by either our Quietness or our Shout. There is a place for quiet meditation and reflection in His Presence, but also for loud, exuberant display of Victorious Faith. At the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus yelled “with a LOUD VOICE, “…Lazarus, come forth!” (Jh.11:43). Lazarus had been dead and buried for four days, and was already believed to be putrefying, but at the Shout of Victory he came out of the tomb alive! The Bible says about Christ’s Second Advent, that He “… shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first” (1The.4:16).

When we shout in victory, the enemy is discomfited and death is defeated. Shouting out of fear is the wrong shout; ours is shouting with the Voice of Triumph. We shout ahead of the battle and the challenges; therefore, when they come, they’re walkovers. There’s hardly a victory without a shout. When you face challenges, shout, not in exasperation or desperation, but in triumph. Even when you’re not feeling happy, shout! Never allow problems, pressures, and trials to dominate your life. For you to experience victory, you must not sit by, silently doing nothing, or allow your mind to be dominated by worry and fear. You must not just think about what the Bible says and what you say you believe. No! You must declare these truths. You must act on them and put your faith into action. You must express your confidence in very active ways.

It’s time to clap and shout “with the voice of triumph,” not whisper! Whatever the challenges you are going through, shout aloud with the Voice of Triumph. Shout and declare that you’ve won. The future can depend on your shouting; so don’t keep quiet. Celebrate God’s goodness! He loves you. He is faithful! He will protect and provide for you, and He reigns over all. Clap your hands! Shout to God with the voice of joy! Sing His praises! God will cause you to triumph always and in every place, by the power of the Holy Spirit, and the shout of rejoicing shall forever be in your mouth, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.