Psalm 98:4-9 – “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.  5 Sing unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm. 6 With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King. 7 Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. 8 Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together 9 Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.” KJV

I do not always use the Old King James Version, but in this particular case, it is most appropriate.  In many ways, I’ve come to realize that in the language and mindset of today’s society, I am either a Relic, Dinosaur, or Antique in some of my views spiritually.  That point begins in verse four of this division of the Psalms.

I was born just before the halfway mark of the past century, and for some, that would automatically relegate me to one or all three of the distinctions mentioned above.  I grew up in a home that believed you honored your word, fulfilled your commitment even to your own hurt, and treasured the genuine and often the simplistic.

I love True Worship and Praise through music and song.  What I find difficult is when the production and performance call more attention to the presenter than the object of worship in words.  It is not the beautiful, talented musicians, choreography, or even the beauty of the natural voice singing. It is The Object of Worship that is important.  That is why the Psalmist gives us “two words” and “one direction” in his instruction regarding singing before and to the Lord in private or corporate worship.

JOYFUL.

The expression is to be out of a heart of Joy, and that Joy can only come through a relationship of Love for the object of our worship and praise – The Lord Himself!  The first requisite in worship is that it is Joyful.  Suppose it is laden with talent, ability, music, choreography, production, and presentation, but the Deep Inner Joy is Missing. In that case, it becomes nothing more than entertainment and will Never rise to the level of Worship or Praise.

NOISE.

This removes the idea that it has to be spectacularly riddled with talent and be flawless in its presentation. It has to be so flawlessly spectacular that it Wows the audience to the point that they walk away remembering the performers and performance rather than having been brought into the presence of the object of worship – The Lord!  I do not mean to diminish the value of talent and excellence in presentation, but the fact that the Psalmist would call for a Joyful Noise identifies where the importance lies.

UNTO THE LORD.

That is the prime objective – The Lord!  Our expressions and demonstrations of worship and praise are to be vehicles that transport us into His Presence!  We may not remember who sang, how beautiful the music was, how talented the voices were, or the choreography, but we remember We Met Jesus There! 

I’m that way about preaching too. If the eloquence and presentation of the speaker outshine the message, it is “tinkling cymbals and sounding brass” and is nothing more than “rain on a tin barn.”  The greatest preaching I’ve ever been exposed to has been when the messenger became a part of the background because the anointing that came with their words was so powerful.  We were captivated and ushered into the Throne Room of Heaven for a divine encounter with my Creator.  I don’t remember the message, presentation, or frequently the messenger; I remember the “transportation into the Presence of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.”  It was life-changing and lasting.  It promoted no man but rather God.

That would qualify me as a Relic, Dinosaur, or Antique Spiritually, and that’s okay with me.  I’m not interested in being remembered for my insight, wit, presentation, or oratorical ability.  I don’t care if anyone remembers my name, but if they remember being ushered into the Throne Room of Heaven via the message, I consider my task a complete success.  If they go away awed and wowed by me and my presentation, then I have failed.  I am not the savior He Is!  It is In His Presence that there is Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory! GLORY!

So, I’ve accepted that I’m a Relic, Dinosaur, or Antique to some, and consider that a compliment in my simplistic way of viewing the most valuable! 

This old relic, a dinosaur antique, prays that God bless you as you go through your day!