Shout For Joy

Introduction We are thinking tonight of Psalm 100 - the Psalm for giving thanks. It is a great shout of joy to the Lord.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.Worship the Lord with gladness;come before him with joyful songs.

It is a great hymn of praise to the Living God. It was sung first by the Israelites in the Temple and then in the synagogue services. It has been called the Pilgrims' Psalm - because it was loved by the Puritans as a moving description of their deliverance from persecution in Europe before coming to the New World. It has been loved by Christian worshippers down the ages in the metrical version: "All people that on Earth do Dwell." First, GIVING THANKS It has only 5 verses and it is a beautiful summons to worship. "Shout for Joy." Joy is to be a characteristic of our worship. We notice that there are three ways to give thanks:

a) shout for joy b) serve the Lord by our worship c) come before him

Spurgeon says:

The world will never be right until with one unanimous shout it adores the only God.

We know of course that is true and will only be realised in the New Heaven and New Earth. The Psalm initially concerned Jehovah, the God of Israel (God's specially chosen people). The Psalmist recognises that the Living God is not Israel's monopoly. Jehovah is not a tribal God - he is the Living God, and Sovereign Ruler over all the nations. So as we meet to worship we desire also that all peoples - of every language, colour, culture, circumstance - should join us. Secondly, WHY MUST WE GIVE THANKS? Verse 3:

Know [be certain] that the Lord is God.

This is not a private belief alone but a public truth. Our thanksgiving is not only to be joyful. It is to be intelligent. How we worship depends upon what we know. We do not worship an unknown God. We remember that what distressed the Apostle Paul most about what he found in Athens was that altar to an unknown God. Our God is not unknown. He is a God who reveals himself clearly, plainly and truly. His chief activity for the Psalmist was that He is to be found in the history of Israel. He has acted in history - freed His people from slavery in Egypt; entered into an agreement with them at Mount Sinai; led them across the wilderness and settled them in the Promised Land. So Psalmist says:

(v.3) It is he who has made us, and we are his.

Thirdly, THE CHARACTER OF GOD He is our Creator and He is our Redeemer. We notice here a connection between knowing God as Creator and knowing ourselves as his creatures. Knowing God and knowing ourselves go together. Two vivid illustrations are given of the Living God. He is the Potter. He has made us and shaped us - God is being likened to a craftsman. In the Old Testament the nation Israel was sometimes called by God - "the work of my hands" (Isaiah 29.23). We think here of the awesome creativity, skill and infinite patience of the divine potter. The raw material with which He chose to deal was unpromising and rebellious. He did not give up on his people despite their setbacks and disappointments. He went on fashioning Israel, making them fit for His own use and glory. Secondly God is seen as the loving Shepherd.

(v 3) we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

The Potter who made them and shaped them was the Shepherd who protected, guided, watched over and tenderly cared for them. Is that not true of all here tonight who have been called into a right relationship with God - through faith and trust in what Christ has done for us at Calvary. This is what we remember tonight in the Breaking of Bread as we bring to mind the tokens of his passion - the Bread recalling his Body given - the wine his Blood shed. He has rescued us from sin and death and brought us to Himself. He is our Potter who has shaped us and our good Shepherd who cares for us. Such is the wonderful sovereign Grace of God. We owe it all to Him. It is He who made us. We belong to Him. We are His people. By the grace of God we are what we are. This is not a cause for pride; but for praise, thanksgiving and worship. No wonder in verse 4 the Psalmist bursts into another call to worship:

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courst with praise.

Our worship is to be deeply joyful - because we have so much for which to give thanks.

give thanks to him and praise his name.

Conclusion The Psalm ends by focusing our minds on the greatness, goodness, faithfulness, love and constancy of the living God. We praise Him and bless Him not only for what He has done for us - but for who He is. Verse 5:

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Unlike ourselves - He is neither fickle nor faithless. His word can be depended upon. His promises are true. He remains the same for ever - from everlasting to everlasting He is God. His is an enduring love. He keeps His promises. He is utterly faithful. Has God been good in the past? Of course! Then he will be always good. The Divine Father will never abandon his work in us. He will complete it into something beautiful for Him. The heavenly Shepherd will not abandon His sheep. He will make them lie down in green pastures and lead them by still waters. We are safe in His hands. What a God! He is great and good and faithful beyond compare. What can we do? Our only response can be to praise, adore and serve him; then to come eagerly into His presence through our Lord Jesus Christ - for the innermost court of his presence is now open to his people. Let me close with some words on the Psalm written by Spurgeon:

Thankfully, the innermost court is now open to believers, to enter into that which is within the veil. We are expected to acknowledge this high privilege by singing. Let praise be in your heart as well as on your tongue and let it all be for Him to whom it all belongs. He has blessed you, bless Him in return; bless His name, His character, His person. Whatever He does, be sure that you bless Him for it; bless Him when He takes away as well as when He gives; bless Him as long as you live, under all circumstances; bless Him for all His attributes. Our hearts leap for joy as we bow before One who has never broken His word nor changed His purpose. Resting on His sure Word, we feel that joy which is commanded here and in the strength of it we now come into His presence and praise His name.
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