Make a Joyful Noise unto God by George Cherian

The sermon this week was a sequel of what was shared last week, “Preparing for Sunday Worship”. It’s always not enough how much we worship our God!

How do we worship the Lord? Do we look at how others are doing? Are our hands too heavy to lift up? Are we in fear of ridicule….what if somebody laughs at us?

Psalm 134:2 Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, And bless the LORD.

How awesome is it to know that God who is already exalted above all, rejoices when we bless His name?

Psalm 47:1 O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.

Are we God conscious or neighbor conscious at Church?

King David has set a standard for us to worship… “leaping and dancing before the LORD” 2 Samuel 6:16. I got reminded of this biblical incident where King David was dancing and his wife found it undignified! Michal was bitter that her father (Saul) was judged and David was made the king. Another instance where bitterness leads to condemnation. David simply replied that he could get more undignified than this but be humble in his own sight. And he was rightly called “a man after God’s own heart”.

Psalm 150:3-6 “Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; Praise Him with lute and harp! Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals!”

I could personally relate with what was said by the Pastor. When I first walked in for a worship service, I found it all to overboard – loud music, people raising their hands, moving, laughing, shedding tears. I was not able to do anything but close my eyes. After some days, in my stillness I knew He is there! I soon realized it’s not about me, it’s about Him! Worship service was an appointment for me to meet my Lord. And if we kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!

Reflection by Reena Thomas