by Pastor Kevin Griffin
Scripture: Psalm 47:1,5
When was the last time you shouted and what was the reason? You may not like your own answer to those two questions, but I do think they are fair. I have asked myself those two questions now for over a week. I have been asking myself those two questions because of some scripture I read recently, and I couldn’t get away from the thought.
1933 the Philadelphia Eagles started as organization, in their long history as a football team, they have not made very many appearances in the ultimate championship game, the Super Bowl. The harsh reality is they have only played in three Super Bowls in all those years (1980, 2004, 2018) I have been alive for all of those games and the first two were losses. Sunday night February 4th, 2018, the Eagles won their first Super Bowl and I was watching, I was excited. I let out a shout that night, I let out many shouts.
Scripture is replete with the command to SHOUT to the Lord. The entire word of God is full of commands and also accounts where individuals and also groups shouted to the Lord. (I am sure not all were just out of the overflow of joy, but it seems that happens more often in terms of the command. No doubt people cried out to the Lord, (loudly) but this scripture is clear, this shout comes from a place of JOY. “Clap your hands, all you nations, shout to God with cries of joy.” Twice in Psalms 47 the writer uses the word SHOUT.
There are many things that I have learned to really miss during this time of shelter in place, but one thing for sure is corporate worship. I miss being with people, together, regardless of their age, race or circumstance, and being able to be together. To gather in one place, for one purpose, under one name to pray and praise His name. I miss that and look forward to being able to assemble again.
The night the Eagles finally won the Super Bowl, it wasn’t just me that let out a shout, it was my entire family. I’m not sure if they are as big a fan as I am, but it didn’t matter, it seemed to be more meaningful because it happened corporately, we enjoyed it together. I’m so looking forward to being together again in fellowship, learning, praising, praying, together. Even in the midst of what are hard days, I believe our Lord has a fountain of Joy that only He can supply. That Joy has to come out, it cannot be contained by yourself or with other people, you might even shout. Shout to the Lord ALL the earth let us sing! Let it out if He overwhelms your heart, you don’t have to fake it, but if He stirs in you, Shout it out!