By Ann Nunnally

It’s football season in the South! Actually, it’s football season across the US, but in the South we live and breathe the sport. Whether you are supporting your local high school team, your favorite college on game day, or one of the professional teams, your plans and thoughts often revolve around game time.

The fun traditions of tailgating, wearing team colors or costumes, gathering in homes with like-minded friends, or traveling across country to support your favorite team, are all part of our southern football culture. The high school and college bands entertain us during halftime and many buttons, bows, and shakers declare our allegiance. The flag wavers, the cheerleaders, and the majorettes add their own sparkle and voice to the festivities of the game. The “make some noise signs” encourage the stadium to erupt in noise in order to confuse the plans and execution of the opponent. After the last whistle blows, fans file out of the arena either happy they won or sad they lost, but already planning for next week!

I was reminded of the “make some noise” tradition this week as I finished reading my Bible one evening. I had been covering the Book of Psalms, listening, and reading several each night, and when I finished Psalm 150, there it was, “make some noise!”

Psalm 150 (NLT)

¹ Praise the Lord!

Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heaven!
² Praise him for his mighty works;
    praise his unequaled greatness!
³ Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn;
    praise him with the lyre and harp!
⁴ Praise him with the tambourine and dancing;
    praise him with strings and flutes!
⁵ Praise him with a clash of cymbals;
    praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
⁶ Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

At a recent college game, Tennessee vs Alabama, the noise level defined the ability of the offense to play the game, and it assuredly resulted in a loss for the Crimson Tide. Consider this information posted after the game.

“The noise level at Neyland Stadium during the Tennessee-Alabama game reached over 120 decibels at multiple points. The decibel level reached about 126.4 decibels during the fourth-and 22 play late in the game. The noise level at Neyland Stadium can be compared to other loud noises such as: a 747 engine  or the NY subway train. Exposure to 110 decibels or more over several hours can damage your hearing.”

The Alabama offense could not hear the quarterback play-calls and struggled to move the game to a win. This is an encouraged crowd tactic across college football competitions.

So, what is Psalm 150 saying to us? Make some noise! When we loudly praise the Lord, declare his goodness, and confess his faithfulness we confuse our opponent! Satan and his teammates have a difficult time making forward motion in our lives when we praise!

I grew up in a church that offered soft, beautiful, pleasing music. We were taught to be quiet and reverent in the presence of the Lord. Oh, how I value that instruction and training in honor and intimacy. It is such a part of my relationship with God, and it has taught me to listen to the still, small voice of God’s leading. But, I have also discovered there are times in spiritual battle that I need to raise my voice and confuse the enemy’s game plan!

When you feel spiritual attack this week, I encourage you to use Psalm 150 to overcome, defeat, and send your opponent running. Thwart the plans of the enemy in your life! Raise a hallelujah in the presence of your enemy! Sing in the middle of your storm! You already have the win!