In 1556, playwright Jean Daurat hit upon an ingenious idea. His plays were only receiving a modest response in the theaters of Paris, so Daurat gave out dozens of free tickets on the street. The only catch was that the ticket holders must give lively applause at the end. The scheme worked so well that it spawned a whole industry.

By the 1800s, claquers (guilds of paid applauders) were working hard in every European city. France had to begin regulating these groups because their tactics began to look like extortion. Individual singers and actors were being pressured to pay the guild or face booing in their next performance!

The claquer craze shows how most groups of people need some prodding when it comes to applause. Where would 20th century sitcoms be without a laugh track? Can you imagine a high school football game without mascots and pom-poms? We seem to need prompting before we get too enthusiastic. Concert organizers might have an amazing headliner, but even groups like The Rolling Stones won’t take the stage without lights, lasers, and fog machines.

When it comes to spiritual things, some prompting toward enthusiasm couldn’t hurt. I remember hearing about a church where, as the plates were brought out for the weekly contribution, the congregation broke out into applause! A visitor was puzzled by this and was told later that a recent sermon emphasized cheerful giving with whole-hearted joy (II Corinthians 9:7). The church responded the next week with spontaneous cheer and the habit stuck. Looks like claquery put to good use!

What deserves our applause? What brings heaven to its feet in rejoicing? We know that the angels in heaven rejoice over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7,10). What about the recovering sinner who fights against temptation and perseveres?

I have a friend who is seeking freedom from drugs. Every day he does not use those substances is a hard-fought victory. I have another friend caring for a defiant child. Every day she maintains the boundaries of discipline for his sake is a hard-fought victory. I have another friend who used to solve all of his problems with fists. Every day he chooses gentleness over rage is a hard-fought victory. These victories are evidence of God’s faithful molding and shaping. He deserves all of the credit… but let’s applaud the warriors in the fight. Let’s remember that choosing God’s path is always easier said than done. Sanctification is an uphill climb.

Paul encourages Timothy:

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

I Timothy 4:11-12, ESV

There are things to flee and things to pursue. There is a fight to fight. Let’s look around and give some applause – some encouragement and appreciation – to those who are faithful in the fight. What is encouragement if not the applause of the brothers and sisters celebrating even the smallest victories and urging us to fight another day?