Song Series: Shout to the LORD

Shout to the LORD
Ruwa

Read: Psalm 98

Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth; Break forth and sing for joy and sing praises. (Psalm 98:4)

My friends and I loved to play sandlot baseball as boys. Often times our games were cut short by Clemente's mother. Although several houses separated her from the sandlot, her voice easily pierced the air with a call for her son to come home.  "CLE-MEN-TE! VEN ACA!" to which Clem would reply "YA VOY MOMIE" which pretty much meant "Clemente come here NOW"...and "I'm coming, Mom" If Clemente didn't come fast enough the seemingly impossible would happen. His mom's voice would get even louder and instead of answering her again, Clem would simply leave (in a hurry) and our game was abruptly over.

That's the idea we should have when thinking about "Shouting joyfully to the LORD". The Hebrew word is "ruwa" pronounced "roo-ah') it means to figuratively split the ears with sound. We're told basically to give a rousing ringing cry of joy and to use every instrument at our disposal as we do so. The psalmist wants people everywhere to join as one and rejoice in the Lord's final salvation of His people.

I love singing praises LOUDLY with God's people! But, Psalm 98 also makes me tremble. Look at (Psalm 98:9). He comes to judge the world in righteousness. Thinking of God as my Heavenly Father brings comfort, but, the thought of Him as the righteous Judge brings a since of impending doom. God cannot forgo His position as Judge any more than He can His Fatherhood. Yes, I shout joyfully with others who are saved by the blood of the Lamb and now call God Father. But, I also mourn bitterly, for there are many people in my life who have yet to place their trust in Christ alone for their salvation.

Won't you trust Him today?

• God loves you and wants you to spend eternity with Him. (John 3:16)
• But, you and I are sinners and God is holy. (Romans 3:23)
• We deserve eternal damnation because rejecting Jesus is an eternal decision (Romans 6:23)
• But, Jesus paid the penalty for our sins and can bring us before God(1 Peter 3:18)
• Won't you trust Him today and ask Him to save you? (Romans 10:13)

Then we can all SHOUT joyfully to our LORD  together for the joy of your salvation this Sunday!