Two weeks ago we looked at how this world of sin can stain our lives – our souls. We explored keeping ourselves unspotted from this world, but the reality is that our past and our inconsistency stains us. The Good News is that those stains are not permanent. God provides stain removal through the blood of Jesus the Christ. Last week we learned that we do not have to go around stained – this is Good News indeed!

The psalmists of Israel understood the mercy of God. They understood His compassion and forgiveness. They could walk in the blessings of His strong shelter of love and salvation.

• Psalm 5:1, “Let all who take refuge in You rejoice.”
• Psalm 9:14, “I may rejoice in Your salvation.”
• Psalm 31:7, “I will rejoice in Your steadfast love.”
• Psalm 32:11, “Be glad in the Lord and rejoice.”
• Psalm 40:16, “May all who seek You rejoice.”

When I understand that God in Christ removes the stains of sin and the world: When I walk in the salvation He provides: When I know I have eternal life in Christ (1Jo 5:13) – How can I not SHOUT for JOY?!

How can I not shout for joy?!

Psalm 66 is a psalm of joy. A psalm of loud, obvious, don’t care what the neighbors think JOY!

Psalm 66:1-4, “Shout for joy to God, all the earth; sing the glory of his name; give to him glorious praise! Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies come cringing to you. All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name.” Selah Shout joy for God. Shout joy for the work of His hands. Shout joy for His creation. Sing praise to His name!

Psalm 66:5-7; 16-20, “Come and see what God has done: he is awesome in his deeds toward the children of man. He turned the sea into dry land; they passed through the river on foot. There did we rejoice in him, who rules by his might forever, whose eyes keep watch on the nations— let not the rebellious exalt themselves. Selah” . . . . “Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul. I cried to him with my mouth, and high praise was on my tongue. If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!” Come see and hear what God has done. Shout joy for yesterday. Rejoice in the Good News that Jesus the Christ lived, died, was buried, but rose again conquering sin and death. Celebrate those that taught you about Christ. Be glad that He forgave the mistakes of your past. Shout joy for yesterday!

Psalm 66:8-12, “”Bless our God, O peoples; let the sound of his praise be heard, who has kept our soul among the living and has not let our feet slip. For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried. You brought us into the net; you laid a crushing burden on our backs; you let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water; yet you have brought us out to a place of abundance.”  See God still working in His world. Shout joy for today. He sustains the earth. He provides for our needs. Even in our darkest hours, He is there. He is our help – a very present help. Shout joy for today!

Psalm 66:13-15, “”I will come into your house with burnt offerings; I will perform my vows to you, that which my lips uttered and my mouth promised when I was in trouble. I will offer to you burnt offerings of fattened animals, with the smoke of the sacrifice of rams; I will make an offering of bulls and goats. Selah”  Our future with God is bright. Shout joy for tomorrow. There is great joy in assembling with His people – the church. There is joy in worshipping the Great God. Have joy that our future care is in His hands. Know the joy that comes from the assurance of an eternal home with Him in heaven. Shout joy for tomorrow!

We abide in a world of problems. We live in a world that divides and destroys. But our citizenship in in heaven where Christ is. We of all people have reason for daily, lasting, comforting JOY! So shout, sing, that loud obvious, don’t care what the neighbors think joy.

– Scott