Memory / Meditation Verse: Psalm 95.1-2
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise
Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise
Sometimes I am asked, “What will you do when you get to heaven?” I have heard people characterize it as hanging around every day, for an eternity of days, playing a harp. Their conclusion: that’s boring! Of course, that is absurd.
The creation narrative in Genesis tells us that mankind was created in the image of God. The logical question that follows is: For what purpose were we created? This is a teleological question—that is, a question of design and purpose. It is one worth asking, because it helps us understand why we are here. It helps us make sense of all that is going on in our lives.
The answer to the first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism is helpful: “What is the chief end of man?” Answer: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Mankind was created to glorify God and enjoy fellowship with Him. This is the very activity of heaven.
When Adam and Eve sinned and were expelled from Eden – from God’s unshielded presence – their unhindered access to Him was broken. The story of redemption is the great narrative of Scripture, stretching from Genesis 3 through Revelation 19. Wherever God’s children are in a right relationship with Him, they are blessed with joy, contentment, delight, and peace – everything that flows from a pure heart and from knowing you are loved by your heavenly Father.
In the upper room, when Jesus shared His final Passover meal with His disciples, He told them: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).
God’s work of salvation is an objective reality. The greater your understanding of His love for you – and the cost of your restoration as His child – the greater your contentment will be, and the more natural your response of joyful worship and praise.
I have been surprised by joy at unexpected times. A number of years ago, I persuaded several friends to hike across the Grand Canyon. It was a one-day hike of about 20 miles, with temperatures around 100 degrees. About 12 miles in, at the bottom of the canyon, with the walls closing in around us, my friend Herb (who was 55 at the time) began to sing at the top of his considerable voice:
“Praise the Savior, ye who know Him!
Who can tell how much we owe Him?
Gladly let us render to Him
All we are and have.
Jesus is the name that charms us;
He for conflict fits and arms us;
Nothing moves and nothing harms us
While we trust in Him.
Keep us, Lord, O keep us cleaving
To Thyself, and still believing,
Till the hour of our receiving
Promised joys with Thee.
Then we shall be where we would be,
Then we shall be what we should be;
Things that are not now, nor could be,
Soon shall be our own.” (Thomas Kelly)
We were hot and running low on water, yet our spirits were refreshed.
The inward work of the Spirit produces an outward expression of thanksgiving. Worship is the activity of the saints in heaven – and it is our activity now. Delighting in the Lord is both our present and our future privilege.
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready” (Revelation 19:6–7).
From prison, the apostle Paul encouraged the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord. This was his pattern (Philippians 4:4; cf. Acts 16:25–34).
The creation narrative in Genesis tells us that mankind was created in the image of God. The logical question that follows is: For what purpose were we created? This is a teleological question—that is, a question of design and purpose. It is one worth asking, because it helps us understand why we are here. It helps us make sense of all that is going on in our lives.
The answer to the first question of the Westminster Shorter Catechism is helpful: “What is the chief end of man?” Answer: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” Mankind was created to glorify God and enjoy fellowship with Him. This is the very activity of heaven.
When Adam and Eve sinned and were expelled from Eden – from God’s unshielded presence – their unhindered access to Him was broken. The story of redemption is the great narrative of Scripture, stretching from Genesis 3 through Revelation 19. Wherever God’s children are in a right relationship with Him, they are blessed with joy, contentment, delight, and peace – everything that flows from a pure heart and from knowing you are loved by your heavenly Father.
In the upper room, when Jesus shared His final Passover meal with His disciples, He told them: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).
God’s work of salvation is an objective reality. The greater your understanding of His love for you – and the cost of your restoration as His child – the greater your contentment will be, and the more natural your response of joyful worship and praise.
I have been surprised by joy at unexpected times. A number of years ago, I persuaded several friends to hike across the Grand Canyon. It was a one-day hike of about 20 miles, with temperatures around 100 degrees. About 12 miles in, at the bottom of the canyon, with the walls closing in around us, my friend Herb (who was 55 at the time) began to sing at the top of his considerable voice:
“Praise the Savior, ye who know Him!
Who can tell how much we owe Him?
Gladly let us render to Him
All we are and have.
Jesus is the name that charms us;
He for conflict fits and arms us;
Nothing moves and nothing harms us
While we trust in Him.
Keep us, Lord, O keep us cleaving
To Thyself, and still believing,
Till the hour of our receiving
Promised joys with Thee.
Then we shall be where we would be,
Then we shall be what we should be;
Things that are not now, nor could be,
Soon shall be our own.” (Thomas Kelly)
We were hot and running low on water, yet our spirits were refreshed.
The inward work of the Spirit produces an outward expression of thanksgiving. Worship is the activity of the saints in heaven – and it is our activity now. Delighting in the Lord is both our present and our future privilege.
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready” (Revelation 19:6–7).
From prison, the apostle Paul encouraged the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord. This was his pattern (Philippians 4:4; cf. Acts 16:25–34).
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