DAY 40 - LAUGHTER AND PRAISE

Ps 126:2-3 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing.
Then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them." The LORD has done great things for us, And we are glad. 

Job 8:20-21 Behold, God will not cast away the blameless, Nor will He uphold the evildoers. He will yet fill your mouth with laughing, And your lips with rejoicing. 

Ps 68:3-4 But may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; may they be happy and joyful. Sing to God, sing praise to his name, extol him who rides on the clouds--his name is the LORD-- and rejoice before him. 

Eccl 3:1, 4
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 
……..a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.


Discussion

Some worship services are conducted like funerals. There is no joy and life in the services. But God did not intend that our worship services be conducted like funerals. Churches that conduct worship services like funerals will begin to lose their members because people shy away from such services. Their members will end up in churches who conduct lively services. The word "rejoice" appears 199 times in the Bible and the word "joy" appears 218 times. The Bible shows that God does want us to rejoice in His presence.

There is a time and season for everything. There are times we do need to reverence God and fall on our knees. There must also be times when we rejoice because Jesus is alive and victorious. We need to shout, dance, laugh and celebrate. Celebration services should always be lively and joyful. 

The next time you hear laughter in praise and worship, do not be overly worried. Laughter is a biblical expression of praise.


Prayer

Father I pray that I will discover afresh the joy of the Lord in my heart. Help me to rejoice in Your presence.


© Copyright: Ng Wah Lok 2003
Email: wahlok.fgt@gmail.com Wesbsite: www.tabernaclemusic.net