I will probably never make a full presentation about what it means to praise the Lord, our God. I've begun a discussion of the seven Hebrew words that have been translated "praise" in the English language. I will never do full justice to an explanation and illustration of any or all of those words.
I feel compelled to try, and this is a follow-up to my previous look at the word, "halal," from which we derive the word "hallelujah."
How can you tell if a town has a successful high school football program? In some places, stadiums fill on Friday nights with noisy fans even if the team isn't doing well. Those are few, though. But the stands will be overflowing with people wearing the team colors and doing their best to be the "12th man" on the team by rocking the stadium with shouting, clapping, stomping and noise-makers.
Staid businessmen, typical stay-at-home moms and all other normally sane citizens will act like crazy people as they get caught up in the mania of a winning football program and the march toward the playoffs or even a championship season.
Few people blame them. Go to many sports arenas, and you'll find manic crowds, hilariously costumed and unabashedly raucus, trying to add energy to their boys and make it hard for the opposition to function.
Someone has to ultimately ask, "Why?"
Is the attainment of a victory this week or even a season championship worthy of such behavior?
There are other occasions where you'll find people who act "loud and proud," including those who find themselves at a concert as part of a screaming horde of fans or - and the situations here begin to seem more questionable - mashed on a dance floor of a nightclub or part of a rowdy bunch in a bar, all believing their wild behavior is appropriate ... though some of them did have to drink too much alcohol or take drugs to get them "in the mood."
Scripture paints a word picture (halal) of people so thrilled with God they are "clamorously foolish" - singing full strength without fear of embarassment, shouting, clapping - doing whatever seems to express joy and excitement.
Can you believe that - people excited that God has moved Heaven and earth to create a relationship between Him and them? That He gave us the sacrifice of His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus to shed His blood on a cross, die to set us free from sin and rise from the dead to confirm our ticket to Heaven. Does it shock you that folks are overwhemed with joy at all the benefits on earth that come with knowing God and being His child? Lives directed by love. Joy that is not thwarted by bad circumstances. Hearts healed of brokenness. Bodies healed of disease and injury. Protection from harm. Having needs provided for.
While all of the circumstances in live here on earth won't be pleasant or what everyone would desire, God has promised to be with His child in the midst of the worst and best of times.
And the long view - the eternal view - is that a child of God is looking forward to eternity spent with God - we call that "Heaven." He has promised to end this world and create a New Heaven and New Earth where we will be with Him doing more than we can ever imagine.
Is that enough to cause someone to act in a manner that some might call foolish, at home, at work, at school, driving down the road - and yes, in the sanctuary in the congregation of those, our brothers and sisters, who are also anticipating Heaven and thankful for their friendship with the Creator of this universe.
No comments:
Post a Comment