The word exultation has the meaning of giving forth lively and triumphant joy. The word is certainly an appropriate word for Christmas and worship year round. Psalm 47 says, "Clap your hands, all peoples! Shout to God with loud songs of joy! God has gone up with shouts of joy and the sounding of trumpets. Sing praise to God, sing praises! Sing praises to our King, sing praises." (vv. 1, 5-6) This psalm gives a very graphic picture of great drama in worship. The ancient believers allowed themselves to get completely caught up in worship. They praised with every part of their being - intellectually, emotionally, and physically. They worshipped God with all of the five senses - sight, sound, smell, taste and touch. We see this psalm literally pulsating and resonating with passion and a sense of victory.
Take note of the verbs, "clap, shout, sing" and notice they are imperatives. Worship half-done or with a lack-luster attitude is not acceptable. Why such joy? . . . because the King has subdued nations, chosen our inheritance and has gone up amid shouts of joy.
We need to attend church worship as passionately involved worshippers, rather than spectators. Don Wyrtzen once said, "Church services are not sit-coms which 'couch potatoes' view for entertainment." They should be dynamic, engaging encounters with God which are challenging and even sometimes a bit uncomfortable. We need to learn to praise Him with vigor and unrestrained passion. We need to be able to let go of our personality, have our sensitivity to the Spirit enhanced and grow in our creativity so that we can lift the Lord high in worship and glory! The real question - do you truly come in joy and exultation to worship and expect an engagement and encounter with a living, loving Lord? May we grow in our experiencing Him in worship together. mjm
