Clap Your Hands

Psalm 47:1 Come, everyone! Clap your hands! Shout to God with joyful praise!

Greetings,

I am a big clapper. Whether it's Hershey Pie using his wee wee pad for the first time, the Dolphins pulling off a win, a movie that has a great victorious ending (Gladiator anyone?), my kids doing practically anything, Jorge setting up the Christmas tree.  You name it, and if it makes me happy I will clap.

Psalm 47:1 invites us to clap for God and to shout joyful praise to him.  And this invitation is for everyone. Clapping is a universally accepted sign of approval, and the longer the applause, the more it shows that something resonated with us in a positive, life-affirming way.  When directed to God, our clapping is an outward expression of the inward joy we have.

Sometimes, however, and even though we are technically in the season of joy, we don't feel much like clapping for anything or anyone, even, GASP! our Lord. It's tough to be all gleeful when troubles lurk around.

Yet...If we are holding on to the blessed hope that eternal joy will be ours, then I think we can muster up a clap or two, and before we realize it, we will have a full blown round of applause on our hands, and the joy that comes with it. 

PRAYER: (Let's clap as we pray)

Dear Lord, We literally applaud You; You are the best.  Sometimes we feel low, but as we shout praise to You, our spirits are lifted again.  Praise Your high and holy name.  You are the King of kings and the Lord of Lords.  You are magnificent and in control.  Thank You for the amazing life that awaits us all because we believe in Jesus.  In His name we pray, AMEN~