Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” Psalm 126:2
God wants his people to be happy! His desire is for us to be filled with laughter and singing for joy. This isn’t only for our own benefit but rather that those around us will know that the Lord has blessed us. This doesn’t mean God will rescue us from all our unpleasant circumstances, but rather that God wants us to find our joy in him.
God’s plan was to take a group of people, the Israelites, and through them show the world how good it is to live under the government of God. Others would then be attracted to join them. We see small glimpses of this through the Old Testament. Many Egyptians escaped with the Jews (Exodus 12:38). Ruth gave up her Moabite heritage to join Naomi on her return to Israel. All the more remarkable because Naomi described herself as bitter (Ruth 1:20). Rahab risked her life by seeking refuge with the Israelites (Joshua 2:12-13).
Sadly, the Israelites, never fully committed to God’s ways and didn’t experience all the blessings God had in mind for them. They weren’t the witnesses God intended.
The question is, are we? Do we fully embrace God’s ways and experience his joy and peace regardless of our circumstances? Are our Christian lives so attractive to others that others want to join us? Will people say of us, that the Lord has done great things for us because they can find no other explanation for our contentment?
The challenge of being God’s witness isn’t having all the answers to theological questions, but rather living a life that’s attractive to others.
