The Voice of Rejoicing and Salvation

Is the Gospel still a joyful sound to us? A prayer for many Christians and churches could be, “Restore unto us the joy of your salvation.”

They were the years of silence. No one had heard a word from God in ages. Life was hard for the people of earth when suddenly a light came into the darkness and an angel said, “I bring you Good Tidings of Great Joy.” Once again God spoke to the world. He had one Word, and it was enough, “JESUS.”

This is the grandest time for the church to be in existence. “I never was so glad to hear a siren,” a woman said to the ambulance driver. When we need help, we appreciate the sound of it coming. “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!” (Isaiah 52:7)

The wedding was starting. A little girl was to precede the bride while slowly and softly ringing a bell. As we waited in anticipation, we finally heard the sound of little feet running. The bell was ringing fast and loud, as the child shouted out, and kept repeating, “She’s Coming! She’s Coming!” I thought, “We need this in church.” We need folks who are excited to shout it out, “Good News! Jesus is here.”

“We have heard the joyful sound:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to every land,
Climb the steeps, and cross the waves;
Onward! ’tis our Lord’s command;
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!”