{"id":11819,"date":"2015-07-29T07:10:16","date_gmt":"2015-07-29T12:10:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/?p=11819"},"modified":"2023-08-29T20:28:19","modified_gmt":"2023-08-30T01:28:19","slug":"in-the-word-on-wednesday-psalm-984","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.flandersfamily.info\/web\/2015\/07\/29\/in-the-word-on-wednesday-psalm-984\/","title":{"rendered":"Word on Wednesday: Psalm 98:4"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Free<\/p>\n

For years, my husband has talked about getting a drum set, but resisted the urge, because drums take up so much space.<\/p>\n

That decision suited me just fine, as the thought of having twelve kids in the same house as a set of drums didn’t appeal to me in the least!<\/strong> I imagined them beating the tom toms day and night, never giving me a moment’s peace.<\/p>\n

But a few months ago (and quite unexpectedly), Doug brought home a compact alternative to a drum set. It’s a small wooden box called a cajon<\/a>. And, honestly, it hasn’t been bad at all.<\/p>\n

The kids don’t beat it in anger, as if they were on the warpath. Rather, they take turns happily tapping out rhythms and thus teaching their mother that even drums can be used to make a joyful noise<\/strong>. (I hope readers will excuse my prior prejudice against this instrument.)<\/p>\n

The attitude of the person doing the drumming makes all the difference<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

I should have realized that already.<\/p>\n

A couple of my sons are whistlers. They whistle almost constantly. That might get on another mother’s nerves after awhile, but it never gets on mine.<\/p>\n

Do you know why?<\/p>\n

Because when I hear them whistling, I know they’re happy.<\/strong><\/p>\n

It’s a joyful noise, and it reassures me that their heart is in the right place.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Not all noises affect me that way. Some noises mean tempers have flared, feelings are hurt, or maybe even injuries have been sustained.<\/strong> I don’t like those noises at all.<\/p>\n

But the happy noise of children laughing, music playing, good times rolling? Yes.<\/strong> Keep those coming, please!<\/p>\n

I think God must feel the same way, for we are commanded in the book of Psalms:<\/p>\n

“Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.”
\n– Psalm 98:4<\/a>, KJV<\/p>\n

Note that not any old noise will do. God is not asking us to bellyache or moan or groan or complain or argue. He wants to hear from us, yes, but much prefers to hear happy singing, joyous shouting, and loud, hearty voices resounding with praise<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Won’t you join me in making an effort to do more of that? You might even incorporate a little whistling or rhythm making in the process.<\/strong> \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n

This week’s verse can be found in the fourth set<\/a> of our Scripture Memory Flashcards:<\/p>\n

\"Free
[click on image to print]<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/p>\n

And for extra practice on Psalm 98:4 (and other passages), I’ve made more handwriting printables<\/a>, as well:<\/p>\n

\"Free
[click on image to print]<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/a><\/p>\n

Plus, in case you missed them, here are links to the first three sets of flashcards and practice sheets, too:<\/p>\n