Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
With all that is going on in our world at this time there is something that we often forget to do. We are so overwhelmed by the news of each new day that we let this one thing just go by. I know it can be tough, but it something we need to do.
Last Sunday evening we held our own little 5th Sunday Singing. We just lifted up our praises to the Lord. We sang of His goodness. We heard songs that just lifted up the name of Jesus, blessed our hearts and expressed God’s goodness and blessings.
I don’t know what people were thinking as they prepared to sing their songs, but I believe I know what God had in mind. He wanted us to walk away from our time together with a song in our hearts.
As I considered our time together, my mind quickly went to the Psalms. Time and again David, as well as Asaph and the sons of Korah would write of singing that would bring a change of heart. The words they wrote would speak of God bringing that song to their hearts.
In Psalm 30 David says it this way -- 1 I will exalt You, Lord, for You have lifted me up, And have not let my enemies rejoice over me. 2 Lord my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me. 3 Lord, You have brought up my soul from Sheol; You have kept me alive, that I would not go down to the pit. 4 Sing praise to the Lord, you His godly ones, and praise the mention of His holiness. 5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning. 6 Now as for me, I said in my prosperity, “I will never be moved.” 7 Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain to stand strong; You hid Your face, I was dismayed. 8 To You, Lord, I called, And to the Lord I pleaded for compassion: 9 “What gain is there in my blood, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your faithfulness? 10 “Hear, Lord, and be gracious to me; Lord, be my helper.” 11 You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; You have untied my sackcloth and encircled me with joy, 12 That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
I recognize that Thanksgiving Day has passed and we have now made the turn toward Christmas Day. Yet I also realize that while Thanksgiving Day was different in many ways, it remained a time of thanksgiving in our hearts - a time to simply give thanks.
Now that we are moving toward Christmas it looks like it could be different as well. Yet will it? I mean the reason for Christmas is still there. Jesus was born regardless of what may be going on in our world. He was born of a virgin in Bethlehem and placed in a manger.
Yes, our world may look different at this time, but God is still the same. He is still there for us in the midst of all that is going on. He remains faithful and true. The song He has placed in our hearts still resounds
So while ‘weeping may last for the night, a shout of joy comes in the morning.’ So ‘sing praise to the Lord, you His godly ones, and praise the mention of His holiness.’
I close with vv. 11-12 ---- 11 You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; You have untied my sackcloth and encircled me with joy, 12 That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.
JESUS, JESUS, JESUS, there IS something about that name!!
Christ only, always,
Bro. Paul
