Day 257 – Jump For Joy

Jump For Joy

I love to see children happy. They just can’t keep still. They jump, twirl, dance, run. You name it; their joy is expressive, exuberant and contagious. Some try to contain their joy with just a little smile, but when something really great happens, even the most conservative among us jump for joy. The German people are known for being more reserved, but when they won the World Cup in soccer they were dancing in the streets. The Portuguese are more expressive, for sure, but when they won the European Cup they partied for days. Even when observing others rejoice, you want to join right in. Joy lifts you up, that’s why you want to jump.

David was an exuberant worshipper. The phrase “leap for joy” in Psalms 28.7 comes from the verb “to exult”, which means to express joy, become merry and to triumph. It is not a quiet type of praise, but one that involves leaping, shouting and bursting forth in song. It is CELEBRATION. David did not hold back in worship. When we brought the Ark into Jerusalem, he jumped and danced with all his might. His wife thought he was crazy, but he didn’t care. He was bringing the presence of the Lord into his city. The greater the reason for praise, the more exuberant and expressive is the worshipper.

S. Lewis once said: “Joy is the serious business of Heaven.” Every time someone comes to Jesus, all Heaven rejoices. (Luke 15.10) What a place to be! So much joy. Barney Warren expressed it so well in a hymn he wrote entitled “Joy Unspeakable”.

I have found His grace is all complete,                                                                                     He supplieth every need;                                                                                                 While I sit and learn at Jesus’ feet,                                                                                          I am free, yes, free indeed.

Refrain:                                                                   

It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Full of glory, full of glory;
It is joy unspeakable and full of glory,
Oh, the half has never yet been told.

There are other verses to this song, but you get the picture. When joy overflows, words are not enough. You just gotta move. David worshipped with his whole body. Have you ever just let yourself go in worship? While we may be afraid or embarrassed to express ourselves freely, the Lord is pleased. Exuberant worship shows how much we really appreciate all that the Lord has done for us.

Paul wrote to the Church in Rome that the Kingdom of God is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 14.17) Joy is not something that happens from time to time, but is the very air we breathe in the Kingdom of God. It is a place where we can’t get a smile off our face. Children love it. What about you. Get the lead off your feet. Jump for joy. “It is joy unspeakable and full of glory, Oh, the half has never yet been told.”

Scriptures to meditate on:

Mal. 4.2; I Peter 1.8; Ne. 8.10; Rom. 14.17; Luke 6.22-23; Is. 35.5-6; Ps. 28.7