Make a Joyful Noise
Jean Bundas
Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise. Sing unto the LORD with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the LORD, the King. (Psalm 98:4-6 KJV)
My grandson practically danced in the backdoor. He was coming to spend the weekend with us and he was very excited. His name is Sean and he was three years old at the time. He was full of energy… always.
After we got him settled in for the weekend, I took Sean to the Dollar Store. We grabbed a cart and headed for the toy aisle. He paused at the squirt guns, the golf clubs and the toy cars. He had just made his way past the girl toys when he saw it.
“I want that,” he said, pointing toward the musical instruments.
“The drum?” I pulled the little instrument from its hook.
“Nope, the flute.” He nodded. “Yep, that’s what I like, that’s what I always wanted.”
We made our way through the checkout line and headed for the car. Once inside, I handed him his new toy. He took a deep breath and blew with all his might. Nothing happened. So he put the flute to his mouth and began to hum a tune into it.
“That sounds wonderful, Sean,” I told him. Much better than the shrill whistle it was supposed to make, I thought to myself.
Sean marched around the house humming into his flute for the rest of the day.
The next day was Sunday. My husband pastored a small church and I sang with the worship team. As I made my way up front to begin the worship service, Sean got up from his seat and walked up with me, flute in hand. He wanted to play his flute for Jesus.
I looked over at the worship leader and whispered softly, “It should be okay. He doesn’t know how to make it whistle.” She smiled and nodded her approval.
The worship leader started to play the piano and sing. People clapped their hands and joined in. Sean started humming into his flute but it was not as loud now with everyone singing and clapping. No one could hear him play. He looked around at the people and suddenly he had an idea! He took a deep breath and then he blew into his flute with all his might. “TOOT!” went the flute, “TOOT! TOOT!”
My eyes opened wide and I looked quickly from him to the worship leader, embarrassed by the interruption.
“TOOT! TOOT!” Sean called out on his flute. The worship leader kept right on playing and worshiping. Sean kept right on playing too. “TOOT!”
I looked down at him; he was worshiping Jesus too. His eyes lit up brightly as he played his happy song. He played with all his might. I knew right then and there that Jesus was up in Heaven thinking, “Oh, that sounds wonderful, Sean. Where did you learn to worship like that!”
Have you ever sat in church and struggled through the worship service? I have. Perhaps we did not like the songs the leader picked out, or thought they sang too many hymns, or not enough hymns, or maybe someone was off key and it was annoying us. Crazy enough, twice we have been in worship services where the person in front of us turned around and asked my husband, “Could you sing quieter so I can hear your wife sing.” I’m sure they were just trying to be funny, but…
Sometimes we get so caught up in “stuff” that we forget what worship is all about – coming before the King of Kings and giving Him praise. Worship is a mighty weapon. God desires us to come before Him prepared for battle. He desires our heart. Can you imagine a service where everyone came with their hearts prepared to worship no matter what was going on around them?
When we enter into worship with a heart to give instead of receive, God does amazing things. It changed my life and I know it will change yours.
Precious Lord, we come before You just as we are. Help us to focus on You and not on having things perfectly in order. Help us to worship You as little children – unhindered and with exuberance. Lord, we choose to lift Your name on high, the name above all names. You are great and greatly to be praised! Amen.
