Serve the LORD with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the LORD, He is God.
It is He who has made us and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him and bless His name.
For the LORD is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
Psalm 100, NKJV
Make a joyful shout, it says. Some versions say noise. I looked it up in the Hebrew and found the word to be (transliterated) ruwa, which in the original language is said with a hard ch sound at the end, but I'm from Texas. I couldn't help looking at the word and thinking it might come out a little bit like the old HOOAH, which is an army battle cry. Lest you think I'm taking these thoughts far afield, check out the Hebrew meaning behind the word. That joyful shout was a war cry, a noise of alarm and triumph in the ranks. In battle, in distress, in victory, it was the loud noise lifted up by warriors to put the enemy on notice and to encourage the allies.
Of course, as in all things Hebraic, there are multiple layers of meaning. Ruwa was also an ovation, an exclamation of religious impulse, a joyful adulation. But mostly it is used in the Bible as a shout of triumphant victory.
Jesus said, "In this world, you have tribulation. Be of good cheer! I have overcome the world."
Paul wrote, "In all things we have been made more than conquerors through Jesus Christ who loved us!"
John testified, "This is the victory that overcomes the world: your faith."
And in the Revelation it is said, "They overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony."
We are certainly in a battle for our eternal destiny, but too many Christians are fighting that battle as if they are on the losing side. With helmets dented, shields cracked, swords bent and dragging in the dirt, too many Christians are ready to wave the white flag of surrender just to get some relief. They fail to realize that Christ is on our side. He who fought all our battles on the cross defeated death, hell and the grave, sin, sickness and satan, and all his enemies have been placed under his feet by the omnipotent Father. And the Bible says, "If God be for us, who can be against us!"
So lift up your head today; you're on the winning side!
Gird your loins and do battle in prayer today; you're on the winning side!
Strengthen yourself in the Lord and fight on today; you're on the winning side!
No enemy can defeat you. No power can conquer you. No devil can possess you. No weapon can prosper against you. And nothing shall separate you from the love of God! You're on the winning side!
When your enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord lifts up a standard against it.
When your enemy comes on strong in one direction, he will flee from you in seven.
So lift up a shout today; you're on the winning side!
Let the devil hear your cry and tremble, for greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. Let the gates of hell shake and quake before you. Get ready to charge hell with a water pistol and go devil hunting with a switch. I've read the end of the Book, and I know everything is gonna be alright!
Today, I'm thankful for my new home where I have found peace and comfort and rest.
I'm thankful for the outpouring of love from friends and family that started a couple of days ago in honor of the day of my birth.
I'm thankful for the sweet fellowship I shared last night with my favorite person in the whole world.
What are you thankful for today?
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