I always find it interesting when there is resistance to the suggestion that we should be excited for Jesus, resistance to the idea that we should be cheerful and joyful for Jesus. No one would ever just come out and say, “Don’t be joyful for Jesus,” but sometimes believers tend to communicate in various ways that there are levels of acceptable expressions of joy that may be exhibited, or that any exuberance for Jesus should not be outwardly shown with more than a smile and an “amen” in public, and anything else must be done in the privacy of our homes. But, what if the world saw us get excited for Jesus? Of course, I am not talking about a superficial expression but a genuine expression of joy.
What does the Bible say about joy? A lot! In fact, it commands us to be joyful. What?! “Shout joyfully before the Lord, the King.” Psalm 98:6b But what if I’m sad? “Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10b But what if people look down on me for outwardly expressing my deep gratitude and joy for the Lord? “So David went and brought up the ark of God…with gladness… Then David danced before the Lord with all his might…” “’Therefore I will play music before the Lord. And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight.’” from 2 Samuel 6
Be joyful before the Lord. Get excited! Shout, dance, sing! And like David, do it with all your might!
–Katie Botello
