God's Joyful Noises

Psalm 66:1 – Make a joyful noise unto God, all ye lands. (KJV)

This past summer I drove several hours south along the coast to meet with my in-laws in celebration of my father-in-law's birthday. It would also have been my late husband's birthday, and as I drove along the beautiful Big Sur coast, I grieved his passing. He so loved the view that was before me and I wished he were sitting next to me. How could it be that I could see such spectacular beauty and not have Randy to share it with?

I arrived and checked in to the hotel. As I waited for the rest of the family to arrive, I wanted to cheer up. I didn't want to pull everyone down into my own sadness. Their sorrow was also great, and it would be easy to make this vacation into a time of mourning. But we had deliberately set out to make it a time of celebration.

As I waited, I sat by the ocean and prayed for comfort. I watched the waves and started thinking about what an indescribable noise the ocean makes. I knew that the Bible says to make a joyful noise unto the Lord. But I felt no joy. I wondered if the Lord made a joyful noise for us? And right in front of me, with the waves slapping against the shore, I knew the answer.

Sing to me a lullaby
The waves are whispering hushabye
And all the world breathes a sigh
God sings to me His lullaby.

In quiet sit, in quiet still
Opening up to His will
In moving waters, gentle tide
In His Spirit I abide.

The Lord answered "yes" to my request for comfort. With His attention upon me, I felt the sadness lift. I wasn't alone. I know that whatever is eternal in man responds to what God has created. One way of knowing God is to observe and meditate upon what He has made.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for allowing us to know You. Thank You for Your gentleness and for Your comfort. Thank You that we are not alone. Amen.

Forward this devotional     Share this devotional on Facebook     Like PresbyCan on Facebook