We live in a world where it is considered rude, disrespectful and maybe even bullying to raise your voice at work or in public. At home, we may yell at our kids or even at our spouses, but probably feel guilty about it. In church, we do raise our voices in song, but most church environments are solemn and quiet. In prayer, we may be silent and humbled before our God (Matthew 6:6). King David, the Psalmist, was a man after God’s own heart, but his troubles caused him to cry out loud to God!
I will bless the LORD at all times. His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the LORD. The humble will hear it and rejoice. Exalt the LORD with me and let’s exalt His name together. I sought the LORD and He answered me, and rescued me from all my fears. Those who look to Him are radiant and their faces will never be ashamed. I am a wretched man, I cried out and the LORD heard me and saved me out of all my troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him and rescues them … The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and His ears are toward their cry for help. The righteous cry out and the LORD hears and rescues them from all their troubles. The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalms 34: 1-7, 15-18
Some English words used in David’s Psalm that express his voice crying out are:
Bless, praise, boast, rejoice, exalt, cry out, cry for help.
In Hebrew, there are multiple words that we translate as cry out because we don’t have a single word in our English vocabulary for each nuance: a cry of deep distress, a shriek of distress, to clamour for help, to call with a loud sound, to shout a cry. The one that is used in Psalm 34:16, shavah, means to cry out loud for help.
I have to admit it. The thought of expressing myself in front of God with a loud, shouted sound does not sit well with me or fit my personality! And I always think of some silent righteous priest or hermit not talking, on purpose, while they fast. So some of you may be rolling your eyes along with me, but I am serious about this. I’m not suggesting that we partake in modern scream therapy, although it might help us release difficult emotions. Or copy the metal musician’s gutturals, growls and gurgles, although this might help us boost our strength when we are working out! But crying loudly, not holding back and raising our voice like a trumpet may be what God would like to hear (Isaiah 58:1).
When we are alone with Him, we know that what He wants to hear most of all is our true heart. And when we are angry and frustrated, He can handle it. When we are thrilled and happy, He is equally excited to hear our joy expressed with abandon! Holy Spirit even prays for us with a groaning too deep for words when we don’t know what to say (Rom 8:26).
Challenge: Choose a new way to express yourself to God this week during the prayer part of your fasting. Pray out loud. Sing at the top of your lungs. Read Scripture with feeling. Take a walk, exclaiming over the beauty of His creation and throw back your head with a joyful shout. Celebrate your freedom in Him. Be radiant and unashamed! He will certainly smile! And others will notice your smile, too!
(Update: I tried this and it was so freeing! It truly intensified the reality of God for me.)
Lord, You are my everything! I will tell You how I feel, whether I cry with dismay or shout with joy. I know You want to hear my voice. Amen.
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