Shout For Joy Because Of God’s Unfailing Love

So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure! Psalm 32:11

Joy and happiness – two emotions somewhat similar but different. Our surroundings can make us happy and glad. The source of our joy, on the other hand, comes from within us.

David, the author of this Psalm, says to rejoice and be glad in the Lord. Shout for joy! Why? We will find his answers in the preceding verses, beginning with the first one.

Each verse in this Psalm has at least one corresponding verse in the New Testament. So, we can shout to the Lord with David and the New Testament writers.

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Shout for Joy, He forgives Our Sins

I’m not sure about you, but I’m glad that God forgave the sins I committed in the past. And He will forgive my shortcomings as I go to Him each day, asking His forgiveness.

Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Psalm 32:1
Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:11

In another Psalm, the Psalmist said that God sends our forgiven sins as far as the east is from the west. That’s enough to make me shout for joy.

Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! Psalm 32:2
Let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:22

The Lord has made it so easy for us to confess our sins, yet some won’t do it. He wants to forgive us, but for those who don’t want His forgiveness, He will separate them from Him.

When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Psalm 32:3
The angels will come and separate the wicked people from the righteous, throwing the wicked into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Matthew 13:49-50

The Loving Discipline of God

The Lord disciplines those He loves. But unlike humans, who may tend to discipline out of anger, God does so in love. He wants us to grow in Him when He disciplines us.

Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Psalm 32:4
My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child. Hebrews 12:5-6

We’ve talked about confessing our sins. We can shout for joy because God forgives us every time we confess our sins. He makes us feel better than taking a cool shower on a hot, humid day.

Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Psalm 32:5
But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:9

Time Is Running Out

The Apostle Paul warned us that time is running out. I know he wrote that verse years ago, but Jesus could still come at any time. Even if He doesn’t, you or I might not see tomorrow,

Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. Psalm 32:6
This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. Romans 13:11

I love the old chorus, “Victory Oh, Victory shall be mine.” As David shouted with joy, he said, “I can run through a troop and jump over a wall.” In Jesus, we can all shout Hallelujah.

For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. Psalm 32:7
Thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57

Another song I used to like to sing had these words. “Where He leads me, I will follow.” He has made everything we need available to us so we don’t get lost or sidetracked.

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Psalm 32:8
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future. John 16:13

Shout for Joy, God Loves You!

Shout for joy, yes, shout for joy! James said if we can control our tongues, we’d be in control ourselves. Praising God keeps our tongues under control. Again, I say, shout for joy!

Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.” Psalm 32:9
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. John 10:27

God loves us no matter what! Put your trust in Him, and you will experience His unfailing love. When a wicked person gives up their ungodliness, they, too, will feel His love.

Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord. Psalm 32:10
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. Romans 8:38

We’ve come full circle to where we started. We decide when we will exhibit happiness and gladness. But the joy of the Lord bubbles up from within us, making us want to shout.

So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure! Psalm 32:11
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Philippians 4:4-5

Do you Feel Good? I Do!

This has been a different type of devotion. I hope it made you feel as good reading it as I felt writing it. Maybe you don’t want to shout for joy; instead, why don’t you rejoice in the Lord?

Lord, today we rejoice in you with gladness. If we don’t shout for joy, you said the rocks will. Thank you for giving us pure hearts as we obey you.