You Make Me Wanna Shout from Paul Tripp Ministries
When was the last time you shouted? Was it for joy? Were you in pain? Was it out of anger or frustration? Did something startle you? Were you trying to get someone’s attention?
A while back, my son and I were fortunate enough to get tickets to an NBA playoff game. I had never before experienced an environment like that game, and I don’t think I’ve experienced anything like it since.
From the moment we walked into the arena to the final buzzer, it seemed like twenty thousand people were shouting at the top of their lungs. My son and I were barely able to communicate with each other because of the frenzy of the crowd.
After I got home and the ringing in my ears stopped, I couldn’t help but think of Zechariah 9:9 – “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” (ESV)
In each of our lives, there are situations, locations, and relationships that “make us wanna shout.” If we pay attention to when we shout and why we shout, we can gain revealing insights about what has become valuable in our hearts.
It’s simple: if I shout with celebration when one team scores, then shout with dismay when the other team scores, the people watching the game with me will know immediately which team I’m cheering for.
Shouting really does reveal what has come to rule my heart. When something I treasure in life is taken out of my hands, I will shout with negative emotion. If that same treasure is placed in my hands, I will shout with positive emotion.
Husbands and wives, what makes you wanna shout in your marriage? Parents, what makes you wanna shout in your home? Employees, what makes you wanna shout in the workplace? Neighbors, what makes you wanna shout in your community?
Christian, what makes you wanna shout in life? Zechariah 9:9 is a beautiful reminder that we should rejoice greatly and shout aloud when we reflect on the life-changing, agenda-setting Good News.
But Zechariah 9:9 is also a reminder that we need reminders. If it was natural and automatic for you and me to rejoice in the Gospel at all times, God wouldn’t have had to include this verse in his Word.
The humbling reality is that we’re able to get more excited over a buzzer-beating three-pointer than the work of his Kingdom. At times, we shout louder for the temporary pleasures of this world than we do for Christ.
Don’t be afraid to enjoy the everyday things of life, but remember: only one thing offers salvation, and that righteous One has come, humble and mounted on a donkey.
He should make us wanna shout loudest of all!
God bless
Paul Tripp
Reflection Questions
- When was the last time you wanted to shout with positive emotion? What does that reveal about your heart’s treasure?
- When was the last time you wanted to shout with negative emotion? What does that reveal about your heart’s treasure?
- What steps can you take to treasure the gospel of salvation more?