The Power Of A Shout
The Word of God Says, “Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the rock of our salvation” (Psalm 95:1). There is great power in a shout. A shout commands attention. A shout is prophetic and faith building; a shout calls things that are not as though they were. A shout demonstrates enthusiasm, confidence, and determination. A shout releases energy, boldness, and passion. A shout changes the atmosphere.
God’s Word tells us to shout. “Shout to God with the voice of triumph and songs of joy!” (Psalm 47:1). “Shout for joy” (Psalm 98:4). Isaiah 26:19 says, “Wake up and shout.” It doesn’t say wake up and shout at your partner. It doesn’t say wake up and shout at your kids. It does say wake up and shout for joy!
When I am leading worship, I don’t shout to get people excited or “hyped up.” When I shout, I am encouraging people to put action to their faith. A shout of joy changes the atmosphere over our lives. Praise is not an angry shout; it’s a faith-filled shout!
I want to go every service full of expectation to see people’s lives changed to reflect His grace in their lives. I want those who are sad to learn shout! I want those who are timid to shout for joy. I want to help people to taste and see that the Lord is good. That is the power of a shout! I want everyone to know the power of a shout to the Lord.
“The Lord their God is with them; the shout of the king is among them” (Numbers 23:21)
The Walls Are Tumbling Down
Wallsare spoken of throughout much of the Old Testament. Walls warded off assassins and protected citizens in a safe area. Some walls were so thick that entire communities were built on top of them. People lived on top of the walls so that they could see anything coming, friendly or unfriendly. Emotional walls that were built to protect and enclose them surround many believers. But too often walls that are built for safety become so confining that they do not allow the inner man to be challenged, stretched, or confronted. Some walls were intentionally built to divide and separate people from other believers.
Emotional walls prevent people from entering into the richness of worship. Instead of protecting us, emotional walls often become strongholds that will eventually destroy us. But the anointing of God pulls down strongholds and breaks the yoke that binds. The name of Jesus pulls down walls. As we lift up His name in worship and praise and let our hearts sing to our maker, we will see confining walls in our lives come tumbling down. Some walls may be very fragile and easily dismantled, while others may need to be attacked with a shout of praise. Some of our walls may be so thick that they need dynamite to see them smashed.
Some emotional walls are constructed so that inflicted pain can be at a guaranteed minimum or so that love can be received with a minimum of risk. Actually, most walls keep the inner man from receiving any love at all. But the church is being restored, and these walls are breaking and tumbling down through praise and worship. We are being restored as a strong church, full of righteousness, peace, joy in the Holy Ghost. Shout for joy, because the walls are coming down!