Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands.”

Psalms 100:1

When was the last time you made a joyful noise unto the Lord? Seriously! Has anyone ever asked this question of you? I have never had anyone ask me this question, so I think it may be a question that is overlooked. Our minds today are on other things and some things are negative and would take us down a different road of irritation and dissatisfaction. I live by an Elementary school and every recess I hear screams of joy when they first run out onto the playground. Remember the holy laughter movement of the Spirit? Have you read the definition from Wikipedia? Wiki states it is “a religious behavior in which individuals spontaneously laugh during church meetings.” I got a good laugh out of that definition, for I know that some churches would frown upon this definition. What about the quotes we see on plaques and fabric that say “Live, Laugh, Love?” Some use that as a reminder that our body needs some good medicine.

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dried the bones.”

Proverbs 17:22

No one wants to have dried up bones, for it is the reference for dying. It is associated with deprivation and death like in the valley of dry bones in Ezekial chapter 37. God asked Ezekiel in chapter 37, verse three, “Can these dry bones live?” The answer is “Yes.” God told Ezekiel to prophesy upon these bones in verse 4 of Ezekiel 37. If you are feeling dry and parched, you may need a refreshing of the Holy Spirit. You can even ask God to give you the spirit of joy in laughter even though some may think you strange to even bother God with such a question.

“Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them.”

Psalms 126:2

Let us remember what the Lord hath done. . . He hath done great things. We may need a miracle ourselves and desire to see the Lord work through our trials. If you find yourselves in this situation, then break out with singing and praise to God for He is good, and His mercy is everlasting to all generation. He has turned our captivity into joy. So, no matter what situation you are in, joy is just around the corner when we lift up our voices in praise to the Lord. Let our mouth be filled with laughter and our tongue filled with singing. When you are dry and parched, then it is time to go to the word of God and get revived in the Spirit, for the word is a living word of hope. This is what Peter said in 1st Peter chapter one, verse three.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

1 Peter 1:3

It is a living hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, hallelujah. This is something to shout about and get it down into our heart. Look at verse 5, “who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” Just remember that your trial of faith is much more precious than gold to our Lord. Let us see with the eyes of faith forever, for it is a living hope and not a dead hope. That is why the word is nigh thee even in thy mouth. The word is a living word, and it is not dead. Being filled in the Spirit is a part of our inheritance that God has given us, and we are kept by it. May your soul be lifted up in the joy of the spirit of the Lord. You need not be ashamed of the joy of laughter. Even Smith Wigglesworth knew that people who were receiving the Holy Spirit for the first time would break out in laughter before speaking in tongues. God knows what each individual needs and He works it through us by His spirit.

Know ye that the Lord, he is God; it is he who hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.”

Psalms 100:3

It is God who created us, and we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. Therefore, we will enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise. When you have your prayer time, have you ever tried to enter His courts with Praise? If you have not, then do so. . .for you will find your spirit in the presence of the Lord and you will find yourself standing on holy ground. Like the story of Moses in Acts chapter 7 and when you get down to verse 51 where it states, “do not resist the Holy Spirit as they did.” We too, are not to resist the Holy Spirit of God, for it was after we believed, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. That promise is the down payment of our inheritance, which is the Holy Spirit. This is until the redemption of the purchase possession unto the praise of His glory [see Ephesians 1:14]. What did Jesus say in the Gospel of John in chapter 12?

And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me.“

John 12:32

Oh! Let us make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye people of the Lands and He will draw us close to Him. Sing praises to the Holy one for He is our healer and salvation. For He has led us out of captivity from Satan’s hand into the ever-loving hand of God. “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; and God” [see Ephesians 2:14].

It is through the Holy Spirit that we can enter into His courts with praise. We start in the flesh and end up in the Spirit. I have witness this in many services and healing crusades. God will draw us close to us when we lift up our praise unto him. No matter what situation you are in right now this moment, lift up your voice in praise to God and be blessed by the Spirit of God. Don’t forget to ask and receive what you are asking for such as laughter and joy. Rejoice in the Lord!