People Who Shout

The Lord is surely making all things new.  This blog attempts to discuss this process as we encounter life and loss.  This particular entry is about LIFE and one example of how it is found and pursued.

One of the things I have cherished the most about being in Atlanta the last few months is being able to participate in the conclusion of my youngest brother’s high school experience.  Since Cole and I are almost eleven years apart, I have missed a lot of the day-to-day things as he has grown up, pursued many activities and sports, advanced in his studies, and most importantly become a godly young man.

After the final soccer game of Cole's high school career

My parents and I are with Cole and his precious girlfriend before Prom

Since I’ve been back in Atlanta, I have made it a point to attend as many soccer games, track meets, and school events as possible (including his Eagle Scout ceremony the week we arrived).  I am one proud big sister!  A true highlight was hearing Cole speak at the Senior Chapel at his amazing Christian school.  I could go on and on about his message, but for the sake of this blog, I’d like to share something else about that morning that captured my mind and heart.

I was overcome by emotion, pride, and the desire to jump up from my seat and join in as Cole and the rest of the senior class stood (surrounded by the other high school students and teachers) and began to recite the 24^th Psalm to usher in their final high school chapel service.  This is the norm at every chapel, even as elementary school students.  Therefore, I imagine it doesn’t take long for the students to memorize this psalm since it is a staple of their school experience.

Read Psalm 24 below and truly soak it in.  As you read it, imagine 105 eighteen year olds shouting these truths with great confidence and JOY, momentum building, courage rising.  They literally banged on their pews, stamped their feet, and raised their hands.  They were rowdy, in the way eighteen year olds were meant to be rowdy.  Like warriors prepared for battle, these seniors shouted this psalm, declaring to all who were present, “I am the Lord’s! He goes before me!”

Psalm 24

1 The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,

the world, and all who live in it;

2 for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.

3 Who may ascend the hill of the Lord?
Who may stand in his holy place?

4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,

who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false.

5 He will receive blessing from the Lord
and vindication from God his Savior.

6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,

who seek your face, O God of Jacob.

7 Lift up your heads, O you gates;

be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.

8  Who is this King of glory?


The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads, O you gates;


lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

10 Who is he, this King of glory?


The Lord Almighty—
he is the King of glory.

The seniors recited Psalm 24 to close out their senior year. Yet as they shouted its promises, reminding themselves and each other of God’s Truth as their voices rose, they actually inaugurated the rest of their lives.  As a generation who seeks His name, a people who welcome the King of Glory in their midst.

The call rang out: Who is this King of Glory?

And the answer rushed swift and bold: The Lord strong and mighty!

What marks us?  What banner do we hold?

Are we a people who shout?

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My sweet friend, Elizabeth, currently is encouraging us to memorize scripture on her blog, Long to Love.  I encourage you to check it out and perhaps choose to memorize a portion or all of Psalm 24.