Back to the question my daughter asked me about a good shout or a bad shout. We can turn to the scriptures (Exodus 32:15-18) to see the first mention of the word "shout" in the scriptures. As Moses is returning from his 40 days of time with God on the mountain and bringing the precious tablets of instructions, he hears a SHOUT. The source of the shout is from his people worshipping a golden calf. They said they were afraid that he wasn't coming back so they returned to something familiar from their time in Egypt - idol worship. So the first recorded SHOUT was not a good one. Their shout originated in fear. They felt they had waited as long as they could stand waiting. The results were devastating for the disobedient ones.
Shouts can be for good or bad. As in anything, intent is the key. Shouting can be used to warn someone of danger, to express deep anger, to seek to control a situation, to draw attention to oneself or to someone else, to praise God, or to express fear.
Another example from the scriptures is found in Joshua 6:20 when the Israelites were instructed to SHOUT when they heard the blast on the ram's horn. The result of this shout was to defeat the enemy in the Battle of Jericho. They chose to trust and obey God and SHOUT the good SHOUT. The battle was won!
We must use our SHOUTS wisely. There is a lot of shouting going on these days. Much of it is disturbing. May His perspective be ours as we encounter a world that seems to be turning upside down. According to His word, we are in a season of looking to see whose side we are on, a season of calling on His name. This world does not offer His answers. This world needs us to believe that God has not lost control and to show what walking in faith and confidence looks like.
So let's join our shouts with Him as instructed in Psalm 98:4 which says,
"SHOUT joyfully to the Lord, all the earth, SHOUT [in jubilation] and sing for joy and sing praises." (AMP Bible with my emphasis added)
Be blessed today with the assurance that God is in control!
One thing you will never hear God say, is, "I didn't see that coming."
a bad shout?" As she is the mother of a three and a half ye
