WAH LOK'S WORSHIP DEVOTIONS 

DAY 32 - WHY DO WE CLAP WHEN WE WORSHIP ?

Scripture Reading

Ps 47:1-3
Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! 2 For the LORD Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth. 3 He will subdue the peoples under us, And the nations under our feet.

Ps 98:8
8 Let the rivers clap their hands; Let the hills be joyful together before the LORD.

Nah 3:19
9 Your injury has no healing, Your wound is severe. All who hear news of you will clap their hands over you, For upon whom has not your wickedness passed continually?


Discussion

The clapping of hands have become a common feature in most worship services. Most people clap their hands because the songs have a strong rhythm. If that is the only reason why we clap our hands, we have missed completely what the Bible teaches about clapping hands. Here are the reasons why we should clap our hands.

Firstly, it is to proclaim the victory of Jesus over sin, death and the devil. We are applauding the victory of Jesus when we clap our hands. "Clap your hands all you people. Shout to the Lord with a voice of triumph".

Secondly, clapping reflects joy in our hearts. Would you rather go to a funeral service or a victory celebration ? A victory celebration is full of joy and clapping best expresses our joy. Ps 98:8

Thirdly, clapping can be a sign to the devil that he is defeated. This can be used during intercessory prayer where people clap, to show the devil he has been defeated by Jesus and no longer has authority over our lives and circumstances. (Nam 3:19).

The next time you clap your hands, remember why you are clapping.


Prayer

Father I thank you that Jesus triumphed over sin and death . He defeated the power of the devil once and for all, at the cross and at His resurrection. Help me to clap my hands in acknowledgement of Jesus' victory over sin and death.


© Copyright. Ng Wah Lok 2002