Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together – Psalm 98:8

Fields, streams and hills all agree: God is worthy to be joyfully praised!

Hills and planes, rivers, lakes, streams, and mighty oceans, mountains and meadows all tell of the goodness of God.

In the midst of it all are those structures that reflect the creativity of mankind. Yet, even they are part of God’s creative genius through us. Nothing can be divorced from His careful attention. Nothing on earth or in the heavens can exist apart from His Sovereign care.

Nature worships and it is the most joyful praise of all.

It calls us to worship, calls us from taking it all for granted, calls us from complacency and drudgery and invites us into the season of joy and praise.

If the floods and the hills can experience such exuberant joy, why can’t we? What is it that causes us to reserve our praise for a more “appropriate occasion?” What intimidates us from freely expressing our amazement at the glory of God? What holds us back?

There really are no days that are lesser than any other for joyful celebration. Permission is never given in the hour of praise to be reticent or bored with the rituals we perform.

God breathes life on every expression of our adoration. He enlivens every song, prayer, and reading with the power of His presence.

Even as His creative hand is seen so magnificently in all that He has made, so He calls us back to the place where we can offer ourselves fully and joyfully to Him.

Practicing Joy as a Group

Read Psalm 98 together slowly.

As a group share on these thoughts:

1. What brings you joy daily?
2. What about God makes your heart smile?
3. What is a joyful song that you love to sing?

Sing a joyful song together.