Shout!

Daily Reading: Joshua 5-6

Scripture Focus: So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city. (Joshua 6.20)

Devotional Thought: "Sometimes I feel like shouting." "Then shout!"

I've had that conversation with people before. We're so reserved in our worship. That's OK, but it's also OK to shout when the Spirit is moving and victory is coming. God instructed the Israelites to shout before the wall of Jericho. They did, and the wall of the city "fell down flat." God gave a great victory. What were these shouts?

There was the shout of expectation. In silence, Israel marched around the city once per day for six days and then seven times on the seventh day. They obeyed God completely. When it was time to raise their voices, when it was time to shout, they did so with confidence, expecting God to do what he said. In our own lives, there are times when the shouts we feel and the amens we raise are not in response to God's blessing, but in anticipation of his faithfulness!

There was the trumpet 'shout' of exertion. Standing on God's faithfulness, the Israelites sounded the trumpet's battle call. It was time to get the job done, to exert their best efforts. Have you ever watched a tennis match? Or how about a weightlifter dead lifting? Often the serve is made, or the weight is raised, with a loud grunt or shout. God is calling us to battle. Let us lift a great shout to arms!

There was the shout of exaltation. In the midst of the great victory, the people exalted God with a shout of triumph. God was on the move, and they joined their voices together, affirming that they were following in close behind their Leader.

God gave a great victory that day. I feel like shouting!

Prayer: Lord, we do not want shouting for shouting's sake. Our desire is not to make noise. Rather, Lord, we want to shout as your Spirit moves - shout in expectation, for exertion, and in exaltation. Give us a great victory, O God!

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 30.6-12

6 As for me, I said in my prosperity, “I shall never be moved.” 7 By your favor, O Lord, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed.

8 To you, O Lord, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy: 9 “What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? 10 Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!”

11 You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12 that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!