This week's devotions are written by Redeemer member Katie Kent.
"Make a joyful noise to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise." Psalm 66: 1-2 (NRSV)
Joyful Noise
Those two words seem curiously put together. When I think of something that is noisy- I more often than not will think of something that is unpleasant to hear. For instance, that clicking, squealing, ka-chunking sound that tells you you're about to spend a small fortune to fix your car. Or that all too familiar Boom, ba-boom of the bass that's turned up too loud in car next to you at the stop light. Or maybe a few barks, followed by a cat's hiss, then the thunder of many 4-legged creatures running across a tile floor, and finally the crash when all kinds of things fall off tables in the middle of the night… or maybe that last one's just at my house.
But these same sounds when heard by someone else may not be unpleasant. The mechanic earns his living when our cars make weird sounds. The person with the obnoxious bass obviously likes it, and it probably lifts his/her mood to listen to it. Though the animals may act out occasionally, a happy bark or a purring ball of fur does bring happiness to our lives.
Connection: The words of the psalmist tell us to make a joyful noise to God and give him glorious praise. Many people might do this by using the musical talents God has given them. But what if you don't have any musical talent? IT'S OKAY!!! The psalm doesn't say make a melodious, perfectly harmonized and orchestrated operetta to God. It says make a JOYFUL NOISE. It doesn't matter if you couldn't carry a tune in a ten gallon bucket, or if the idea of clapping on the off beat completely confuses you. To God, any and all noise we make in praise to Him is beautiful. He will never tell us we're too noisy!
Gracious Lord, thank you for our varied talents and skills, and help us to find new ways each day to make noise and to praise You. Amen.
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