Singing!

Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy. Psalm 33:3 NIV

Singing praises to our God is a wonderful way to not dwell on our surroundings, especially when those surroundings can cause us grief. The beauty of singing a new song, one no one has ever heard before is that no one can criticize the words, the rhythm, or our voices–since we usually sing them to ourselves.

Over the years, whenever I prepared to minister to God’s people, He always gave me a song to conclude the message. Reception to these songs was usually pretty good and at one time, the church I attended had an awesome musician who could play anything just by listening to a few bars. And when a musician couldn’t pick up the song, I sang it acappella.

Now, when things get too embroiled for me to address without causing more turmoil, I sing a song. Sometimes, it’s a new one–whatever is poured into my spirit–and sometimes, it’s a song that really ministers to me. Recently, I sang to myself–Encourage Yourself In The Lord–and I had to keep singing it in order not to respond to foolishness.

Lately, I find myself singing quite a bit. Most of the songs are based upon The Word, so I can get a chance to meditate on The Word as well as to calm me. Like David playing to keep Saul calm, singing has supernatural power to keep us calm before we create a storm.

Most mothers sing to their infants to calm them. Choirs sing to magnify The Lord. There are songs that make people want to dance and some that make people cry, but singing is a good way to wipe out negativity and the desire to avenge oneself when one feels they have been wronged.

O Lord, You who know everything,

Soothe my heart and let my voice ring,

With a melody that praises You,

And encourages my spirit, too,

Praising You for all You have done

And will do, creating all under the sun,

Providing us with its marvelous light,

Negating the wrongs, to always do right,

As unto You, not to cause others flight,

Away from You. O Lord, I sing

And hear angels’ voices ring,

Carrying the melody meant to calm

In the midst of every storm–until joy,

Releases its healing balm.

There is indeed a balm in singing unto You!

Whenever we feel like we’re about to lose it–our tempers or get emotionally distraught, we can solve it all, by singing!

 

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Saved From Enemies!

“I called to the LORD, who is worthy of praise, and have been saved from my enemies.” (2 Samuel 22:4 NIV)

When people have been saved from disasters and they know The Lord, they understand God’s saving grace in situations beyond their control. David knew The Lord and knew that it was The Lord who had saved him from Saul’s relentless pursuit to kill him.

Let’s step back for a second review the relationship between David and Saul. It was David who struck Goliath with a stone from his slingshot. It was David who was able to soothe Saul with his music ability. It was David who was loyal to Saul beyond measure and refused to kill him, even though he had a chance when Saul sought to kill David out of jealousy. The real issue here with Saul was his jealousy, which reigned over logic in his head and led to his destruction. Jealousy–the monstrous emotion resulting from insecurities that blinds people from seeing reality and is a tool of the enemy–Satan.

When Samuel anointed David as the next king over Israel–predictively–David was put on the road to notoriety and acclaim. He was a hero to the people, but a pain to Saul because the people exalted David–because of his military success over Saul, who was king.

How can someone who claims to love a person become their enemy? When a person is influenced by demonic influence, love won’t stand a chance if the person who is influenced would rather express their desire to hold onto negativity.

Instead of taking the opportunities to kill Saul and become King as prophesied, David ran, formed his own armies, still fighting on the side of Saul’s reign, but keeping far away from him. Throughout Saul’s pursuit of David, David’s faith in God did not fail and he knew he would be saved. When Saul was killed, David sang praises unto The Lord. In fact, during the pursuit, David wrote and sang many songs and we have access to some of them in the Psalms.

Now, the bigger question for us today is, when we are pursued by an enemy, do we sing praises unto our God or do we cringe in fear and hopelessness? Do we sing when we know we have been delivered and saved by that enemy that influences our fear and makes us feel abandoned?

I’ve learned to sing God’s praises, no matter what is happening in my life. I may take a moment to be sad, but I straighten my back, hold up my head, and bellow the songs that are deeply embedded in my spirit--knowing that God has the last word over the things that happen in my life and I know–through Him, I will be victorious in the end. Hallelujah! Thank You, Jesus for victory in every situation in my life–no matter how dark the night may be, morning is coming and with it–Sonshine (The Son will shine brightly and dissolve any despair in all types of weather) and new mercies! Glory to God! I am saved from my enemies!