There are times when I just want to shake my head and wonder what in the world? That happened today when I read a Facebook advertisement for a blog. It read: “Are Christians authorized to clapp [sic] their hands during worship?”
Huh? Well, first they spelled clap wrong, but then the question itself left me dumbfounded. Are we so bound by the rules of men that we are trying to decide if Christians can clap while they worship? And that word, “authorized.”
Authorized? Psalm 47:1 sounds to me like authorization: “Clap your hands, all you peoples, shout to God with a jubilant cry.” [HCSB]
And if the trees out in the fields are allowed to clap their joy, should not God’s children also be authorized to do so? “You will indeed go out with joy and be peacefully guided; the mountains and the hills will break into singing before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” [Isaiah 55:12 HCSB]
Have you ever watched a child waiting in anticipation to see someone they love? They hop up and down and they clap their hands with joyful excitement. I want to be like those children before my Father, clapping my hands joyfully in His presence.
Why do we make it so difficult? Why do we bind ourselves with rules of men when Jesus is so simple? I would imagine that however we express our joy to be in His presence, it delights and honors Him. (Even clapping!)
