Have you noticed how joy is contagious and everyone wants to share it? If someone recently lost weight, they want everyone to try their diet or their exercise plan. If someone recently became a vegetarian, they want everyone they know to give up meat also. When someone tells me they are looking to buy a new camera, I’m quick to say, “You should buy a Sony!” When someone is looking to buy a new car, I’m quick to tell them how much I love mine.
Evidence of this human tendency is ALL over Facebook and other social media sites. When we are happy, we want everyone else to share in our happiness. Whatever is our favorite, we want to be their favorite too (Go Cardinals!) So what about those of us who have experienced salvation? Are we quick to share the good news with others and encourage them to commit their lives to Christ also? Is our joy contagious?
Sing a new song to the Lord!
Let the whole earth sing to the Lord!
Sing to the Lord; praise his name.
Each day proclaim the good news that he saves…
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!…
Give to the Lord the glory he deserves!
Bring your offering and come into his courts.
Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor.
Let all the earth tremble before him. – Psalm 96: 1-2,4,8-9
The Psalmist is calling us to join him in proclaiming the good news of our salvation today. He has experienced the joy of salvation and the pleasure in singing God’s praises. He calls us this morning to join him in praise and adoration of our Savior. His joy is contagious!
Sing a new song to the Lord, for he has done wonderful deeds…
Shout to the Lord, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy! – Psalm 98:1,4
Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation – Psalm 100
Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.
Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.
He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.
He fills my life with good things.
My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!…
The Lord is compassionate and merciful,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love – Psalm 103:1-8
He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.
The Lord is like a father to his children,
tender and compassionate to those who fear him – Psalm 103:12-13
Now we are ready to start our day! Now God’s praise is on our lips and ready to form our attitudes for the day. Now we have been reminded of our salvation. Lord, fill me with your joy and the eagerness to share the good news with others. Make my joy contagious!