September 30:  Make a Joyful Noise.

Words of Help and Encouragement.
Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success.  Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!--Proverbs 15:22, 23, NLT

THE POWER OF SPEECH is of great value, and the voice should be cultivated for the blessing of those with whom we come in contact.--Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 240.

As followers of Christ we should make our words such as to be a help and an encouragement to one another in the Christian life.  Far more than we do, we need to speak of the precious chapters in our experience.  We should speak of the mercy and loving-kindness of God, of the matchless depths of the Saviour's love.  Our words should be words of praise and thanksgiving.  If the mind and heart are full of the love of God, this will be revealed in the conversation.--Christ's Object Lessons, 338.

Precious indeed in the world of sin and ignorance is the gift of speech, the melody of the human voice, when devoted to the praise of Him who hath loved us and given Himself for us.--Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students, 245.

The love of Christ in the soul is as "a well of water, springing up into everlasting life."...Those who possess this love will delight to talk of the things that God has prepared for them that love Him.--Messages to Young People, 390.

                                  The wise at heart have a reputation for understanding;
                                       pleasant words make the lips more persuasive.
                              
                                                                     --Proverbs 16:21, VOICE

September 29:  Make a Joyful Noise.

Be Careful What You Say and How You Say It.
The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive....From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.  Kind words are like honey--sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.--Proverbs 16:21, 23, 24, NLT

WORDS OF CHEER and encouragement spoken when the soul is sick and the pulse of courage is low--these are regarded by the Saviour as if spoken to Himself.  As hearts are cheered, the heavenly angels look on in pleased recognition.--The Ministry of Healing, 159.

The grace of Christ is to control the tempter and the voice.  Its working will be seen in politeness and tender regard shown by brother for brother, in kind, encouraging words.--Christ's Object Lessons, 102.

The influence of the mind on the body, as well as of the body on the mind, should be emphasized....The depressing and even ruinous effect of anger, discontent, selfishness, or impurity, and, on the other hand, the marvelous life-giving power to be found in cheerfulness, unselfishness, gratitude, should also be shown....

..."Pleasant words" the Scripture declares to be not only "sweet to the soul," but "health to the bones."  Proverbs 16:24.--Education, 197.

                                   "And I tell you this, you must give an account
                                on judgment day for every idle word you speak.
                          The words you say will either acquit you or condemn you."
                              
                                                               --Matthew 12:36, 37, NLT

September 28:  Make a Joyful Noise.

Beware the Tongue.
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but the words of the pure are pleasant.--Proverbs 15:26, NKJV

WHEN CHRIST ABIDES in the heart, there will be purity and refinement of thought and manner.--Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 24.

There will be manifest a growing distaste for careless manners, unseemly language, and coarse thought.--Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, 24.

We should accustom ourselves to speak in pleasant tones, to use pure and correct language, and words that are kind and courteous.  Sweet, kind words are as dew and gentle showers to the soul.  The Scripture says of Christ that grace was poured into His lips that He might "know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary."  Psalm 45:2; Isaiah 50:4.  And the Lord bids us "Let your speech be alway with grace" (Colossians 4:6) "that it may minister grace unto the hearers" (Ephesians 4:29).--Christ's Object Lessons, 336.

Kind, cheerful, and encouraging words will prove more effective than the most healing medicines.  These will bring courage to the heart of the desponding and discouraged, and the happiness and sunshine brought...by kind acts and encouraging words will repay the effort tenfold.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, 306.

Never allow censure to escape your lips, for it is like desolating hail to those around you.  Let cheerful, happy, loving words fall from your lips.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 1, 704.

                            Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things.
                                          See how great a forest a little fire kindles!
                                                                                       --James 3:5, NKJV

September 27:  Make a Joyful Noise.

The Joy of the Victors.
And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.  They sang the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying "Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty!  Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!"--Revelation 15:2, 3, NKJV

BEFORE ENTERING THE CITY OF GOD, the Saviour bestows upon His followers the emblems of victory and invests them with the insignia of their royal state.  The glittering ranks are drawn up in the form of a hollow square about their King, whose form rises in majesty high above saint and angel, whose countenance beams upon them full of benignant love.  Throughout the unnumbered host of the redeemed every glance is fixed upon Him, every eye beholds His glory whose "visage was so marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men."  Upon the heads of the overcomers, Jesus with His own right hand places the crown of glory.  For each there is a crown, bearing his own "new name" (Revelation 2:17), and the inscription, "Holiness to the Lord."  In every hand are placed the victor's palm and the shining harp.  Then, as the commanding angels strike the note, every hand sweeps the harp strings with skillful touch, awaking sweet music in rich, melodious strains.  Rapture unutterable thrills every heart, and each voice is raised in grateful praise.  "Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever."  Revelation 1:5, 6.--The Great Controversy, 645.

September 26:  Make a Joyful Noise.

The Song of Victory.
Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.  And Miriam answered them, "Sing to the Lord, for he has triumphed gloriously!  The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea!"--Exodus 15:20, 21, NKJV

FROM THE MOST TERRIBLE PERIL, one night had brought complete deliverance.  That vast, helpless throng--bondmen unused to battle, women, children, and cattle, with the sea before them, and the mighty armies of Egypt pressing behind--had seen their path opened through the waters and their enemies overwhelmed in the moment of expected triumph.  Jehovah alone had brought them deliverance, and to Him their hearts were turned in gratitude and faith.  Their emotion found utterance in songs of praise.  The Spirit of God rested upon Moses, and he led the people in a triumphant anthem of thanksgiving, the earliest and one of the most sublime that are known to man....

Like the voice of the great deep, rose from the vast hosts of Israel that sublime ascription.  It was taken up by the women of Israel, Miriam, the sister of Moses, leading the way, as they went forth with timbrel and dance.  Far over desert and sea rang the joyous refrain, and the mountains re-echoed the words of their praise--"Sing ye to Jehovah, for He hath triumphed gloriously."

...That song does not belong to the Jewish people alone.  It points forward to the destruction of all the foes of righteousness and the final victory of the Israel of God.--Patriarchs and Prophets, 287-289.

September 25:  Make a Joyful Noise.

At the Sound of the Trumpets.
Indeed it came to pass, when the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the Lord, and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpet and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the Lord, saying, "For he is good, for His mercy endures forever," that the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud.--2 Chronicles 5:13, NKJV

AT LAST THE TEMPLE planned by King David, and built by Solomon his son, was completed.  "All that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of the Lord," he had "prosperously effected."  2 Chronicles 7:11.  And now, in order that the palace crowning the heights of Mount Moriah might indeed be, as David had so much desired, a dwelling place "not for man, but for the Lord God" (1 Chronicles 29:1), there remained the solemn ceremony of formally dedicating it to Jehovah and His worship....

At the appointed time the hosts of Israel, with richly clad representatives from many foreign nations, assembled in the temple courts.  The scene was one of unusual splendor.  Solomon, with the elders of Israel and the most influential men among the people, had returned from another part of the city, whence they had brought the ark of the testament....

...With singing and with music and with great ceremony, "the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord unto his place, to the oracle of  the house, into the most holy place" [2 Chronicles 5:7].  As they came out of the inner sanctuary, they took the positions assigned them.  The singers--Levites arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps--stood at the east end of the altar, and with them a hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets.--Prophets and Kings, 37, 38.

September 24:  Make A Joyful Noise.

Rejoice in the Strength of the Lord.
Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had made them rejoice over their enemies.  So they came to Jerusalem, with stringed instruments and harps and trumpets, to the house of the Lord.--2 Chronicles 20:27, 28, NKJV

TOWARD THE CLOSE of Jehoshaphat's reign the kingdom of Judah was invaded by an army before whose approach the inhabitants of the land had reason to tremble.  "The children of Moab, and the children of Ammon, and with them other beside the Ammonites, came against Jehoshaphat to battle."...2 Chronicles 20:1.--Prophet and Kings, 198.

As they advanced to the battle, Jehoshaphat said, "Hear me, O Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem; Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established: believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper."  "And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness."  2 Chronicles 20:14-21.  These singers went before the army, lifting their voices in praise to God for the promise of victory....

God was the strength of Judah in this crisis, and He is the strength of His people today....

Laden with spoil, the armies of Judah returned "with joy; for the Lord had made them to rejoice over their enemies.  And they came to Jerusalem with psalteries and harps and trumpets unto the house of the Lord."  2 Chronicles 20:27, 28.  Great was their cause for rejoicing.  In obedience to the command, "Stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord:...fear not, nor be dismayed," they had put their trust wholly in God, and He had proved to be their fortress and their deliverer.  Verse 17.--Prophets and Kings, 203.

September 23:  Make a Joyful Noise.

In Tune With Heaven.
Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God.--Psalm 43:4, NKJV

THROUGH SONG, DAVID, amidst the vicissitudes of his changed life, held communion with heaven.--Education, 164.

The simple shepherd boy sang of his own composing, and the music of his harp made a sweet accompaniment to the melody of his fresh young voice.--Patriarchs and Prophets, 637.

Daily revelations of the character and majesty of his Creator filled the young poet's heart with adoration and rejoicing.  In contemplation of God and His works the faculties of David's mind and heart were developing and strengthening for the work of his afterlife.  He was daily coming into a more intimate communion with God.  His mind was constantly penetrating into new depths for fresh themes to inspire his song and to wake the music of his harp.  The rich melody of his voice poured out upon the air, echoed from the hills as if responsive to the rejoicing of the angel's songs in heaven....

...His talents, as precious gifts from God, were employed to extol the glory of the divine Giver.  His opportunities of contemplation and meditation served to enrich him with that wisdom and piety that made him beloved of God and angels....Each ray of new light called forth fresh bursts of rapture, and sweeter anthems of devotion, to the glory of God and the Redeemer.  The love that moved him, the sorrows that beset him, the triumphs that attended him, were all themes for his active thought; and as he beheld the love of God in all the providences of his life, his heart throbbed with more fervent adoration and gratitude, his voice rang out in a richer melody, his harp was swept with more exultant joy.--Patriarchs and Prophets, 641, 642.

September 22:  Make a Joyful Noise.

Sound of the Trumpet.
"Also in the day of your gladness, in your appointed feasts, and at the beginning of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be a memorial for you before your God: I am the Lord your God."--Numbers 10:10, NKJV

THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES was the closing gathering of the year.  It was God's design that at this time the people should reflect on His goodness and mercy....

...From far and near the people came, bringing in their hands a token of rejoicing.  Old and young, rich and poor, all brought some gift as a tribute of thanksgiving to Him who had crowned the year with His goodness, and made His paths drop fatness.  Everything that could please the eye, and give expression to the universal joy, was brought from the woods; the city bore the appearance of a beautiful forest.

At the first dawn of day, the priests sounded a long, shrill blast upon their trumpets, and the answering trumpets, and the glad shouts of the people from their booths, echoing over the hill and valley, welcomed the festal day.--The Desire of Ages, 447, 448.

The temple was the center of the universal joy.  Here was the pomp of the sacrificial ceremonies.  Here, ranged of either side of the marble steps of the sacred building, the choir of Levites led the service of song.  The multitude of worshipers, waving their branches of palm and myrtle, took up the strain, and echoed the chorus; and again the melody was caught up by voices near and afar off, till the encircling hills were vocal with praise.--The Desire of Ages, 448.

                                All inhabitants of the world and dwellers on the earth:
                               When he lifts up a banner on the mountains, you see it;
                                          And when he blows a trumpet, you hear it.
                                                                                                --Isaiah 18:3, NKJV

September 21:  Make a Joyful Noise.

Praising Night and Day.
At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought out the Levites in all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem to celebrate the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgiving and with singing, with cymbals and string instruments and harps.--Nehemiah 12:27, NKJV

LESSONS OF GREAT PROFIT, even in this age of educational progress, may be found in the history of God's ancient people.--Fundamentals of Christian Education, 95.

The art of sacred melody was diligently cultivated.  No frivolous waltz was heard, nor flippant song that should extol man and divert the attention from God; but sacred, solemn psalms of praise to the Creator, exalting His name and recounting His wondrous works.  Thus music was made to serve a holy purpose, to lift the thoughts to that which was pure and noble and elevating, and to awaken in the soul devotion and gratitude to God.--Fundamentals of Christian Education, 97.

Music should have beauty, pathos, and power.  Let the voices be lifted in songs of praise and devotion.  Call to your aid, if practicable, instrumental music, and let the glorious harmony ascend to God, an acceptable offering.--Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, 71.

                            It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning,
                                              your faithfulness in the evening,
                                  accompanied by a ten-stringed instrument, a harp,
                                                       and the melody of a lyre.
                              
                                                                 --Psalm 92:2, 3, NLT