Applause!

What is the sound of one hand clapping?

Try it.

At the most, it is barely a whisper. Definitely it is not applause.

But…

What is the sound of your two hands clapping? Or yours plus your friends?

That is applause that the ears can hear without a doubt.

Thinking of how we Americans come together this week to celebrate and give thanks, I was reminded of what the psalmist wrote of in Psalm 95:2 AMP—"Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise!" (Italics mine.)

We make a joyful noise—applause—to Him because, as the angels around His throne and the elders and others proclaimed in worship, "Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen." (Revelation 7:12 NLT)

So, as you come together with your family to give thanks, you might want to reflect on these words written by David in Psalm 22:28-30 (ERV)—

Because the Lord is the King.

He rules all nations.

The people have eaten all they wanted

and bowed down to worship him.

Yes, everyone will bow down to him—

all who are on the way to the grave, unable to hold on to life.

Our descendants will serve him.

Those who are not yet born will be told about him.

May we not leave the King out of our time of thanksgiving. May we tell others about His wondrous rule and give Him the applause that belongs to Him.