Many Christians resemble grumbling and complaining unbelievers. Will others be drawn to us or repelled? Are we overly guarded? Do we too carefully choose our words? Are we afraid to laugh? Are we generally angry? How about when we gather together to worship? Do we approach God with excitation and enthusiasm, or dutifully and joylessly? God never promised us that joy emanates from our circumstances, but from being in a relationship with Him. We read this reminder in Nehemiah 8:10, “...Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

We read in Psalm 149: 1-6, “Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song, And His praise in the assembly of the saints. Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; Let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp. For the Lord takes pleasure in His people; He will beautify the humble with salvation. Let the saints be joyful in glory; Let them sing aloud on their beds. Let the high praises of God be in their mouth,”. Notice two things, the exuberance in the worship and it’s total focus on God and His glory. It is never about how good the singer or dancer is, but about our God being glorified. Notice their joy is not because of things but because of who God is and that they are in a relationship with Him.

If you were to step back and observe, how do you choose to worship our Lord? How about your church, do you as a group seem alive or dead, sincere or going through the motions. Not only are others watching, but more importantly, God is watching. As it is said, “The Lord takes pleasure in His people. Is it good to have a pleasant voice, sure. Is it necessary? No! Remember, do it all for the Lord. Besides in church, day to day, though citizens in heaven, we are God’s ambassadors on earth. As His representatives, do we forget where our citizenship lies? It is so easy to get caught up in the injustices so widespread in this fallen world in which we walk. It is so easy to allow this to distract us from the joy which is still present in the Lord. Our attitude is a choice. Where we place our focus, our hope, and our trust is also a choice. Our joy comes from the Lord, not from vindication from life’s wrongs. May we exude Christ. May people see our Savior in us, as we yield to the Holy Spirit, especially in times such as these.