August Issue 2008

His Song

Psalm 42:8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life. Isn’t that a reassuring verse? His lovingkindness is commanded in the daytime, and his song shall be with me in the night. So many nights I have been awakened by singing. My spirit wakes my mind singing out praises, and prayers unto the God of my life, although I have to admit my body doesn’t always appreciate being woken up. And I wish I could remember some of
the songs given long enough to write them down, but those, I believe are meant for the Lords ears and heart. Now the part of the verse that says; “and his song shall be with me in the night” makes me think of times where it “seems” as though the darkness of night overshadows the light of day. Whether it is through sickness, trial, death, or any other form, night can be difficult. But who can thwart God's commands? No one! no one can take or change it no matter how hard they try. God’s commands are set. So doesn’t that bring a smile to your face when you read; “Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime”. His lovingkindness caries over into the night, where his song shall be with you. Are you feeling imprisoned by your circumstances? I feel that way sometimes, but God says; do as Paul and Silas did “At midnight they prayed and sang praises unto God” (Acts 16:25)
How can we not help, but sing along.

Rejoice My Soul

O my soul, why hide thyself in dark places?
Cower thee for fear?
What have I to do with thee?
O my soul. I say to thee,
tear down those strongholds.
Loose thyself from fear.
Bind thyself to the Lord thy God.
Come Holy Spirit come; pour into me all that my life can hold.
And I will declare what You have done for my soul.
Rejoice, rejoice, O heart, be glad.
Sing, my soul of His mercy great. Shout for joy and be glad.
Great is His mercy towards me.
My soul hath He delivered from the lowest hell.
Therefore I lift my voice in praise.
Sing my soul in rapturous tones. Sing of light and freedoms joys.
Sing of strength that
conquers foes.
Sing my soul of your
Saviors love, for great a love it is.
Bow my soul in humble pose. For thou art not thine own.
For what have I to do with thee, but lay thee down in sweet release.
Indeed; O soul thou art redeemed by blood of purest form.
For thou art safe, O my soul, in love’s sweet embrace.
Rejoice, rejoice
O heart be glad.
(D. E. M.)

Singing In Strange Places

Read Psalm 149:1-9 “Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song” (v1).we have a tendency to want to sing the same songs in church, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The Psalmist isn’t telling us to buy a new hymnbook. He means we should have a new experience with the Lord so that we will have a new song of praise to give Him. Every new valley that we go through, every new mountaintop we climb, every experience of life ought to be writing on our hearts a new song of praise. When we face a difficulty, we have an opportunity to have renewed faith and see God do new things. In verse 1 the psalmist tells us to sing in the congregation. I can understand that command. I enjoy congregational singing when people sing to the Lord. “Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the children of Zion be joyful in their King” (v2). I am glad when God’s people gather in a congregation of celebration, rejoicing in the goodness and the glory of the Lord. But he also tells us we should be joyful on our beds. “Let them sing aloud on their beds” (v5). This could be while we’re resting or recuperating from an illness. Perhaps you’re lying in bed right now and you don’t feel well. Sing praises to the Lord upon your bed and worship Him. Then the psalmist says, “Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand, to execute vengeance on the nations” (vv.6-7). This is a picture of warriors on the battlefield, singing in the midst of the battle. It is easy to sing in the congregation, not quite so easy to sing on our beds and difficult to sing on the battlefield. But if we sing, we’ll glorify the Lord, and we’ll grow. “He will beautify the humble with salvation” (v4). We’ll be happier and holier and more beautiful if we sing to the Lord. God brings you through different experiences so you may learn new dimensions of His love and grace. What difficulty are you facing today? Don’t simply endure or waste it. Use it as an opportunity to find a new song of praise to God. (Warren Wiersbe)

A Song At Midnight

Behold, I am near at hand to bless thee, and I will verily give to thee out of the abundance of heaven. For My heart is open to thy cry; yea, when thou criest unto Me in the night seasons, I am alert to thy call, and when thou searchest after Me, the darkness shall not hide My face, for it shall be as the stars which shine more brightly in the deep of night. Even so shall it be. And in the night of spiritual battle, there shall I give unto thee fresh revelations of Myself, and thou shalt see Me more clearly than thou couldst in the sunlight of ease and pleasure. Man by nature chooseth the day and shunneth the night; but I say unto thee that I shall make thy midnight a time of great rejoicing, and will fill the dark hour with songs of praise. Yea, with David, thou shalt rise at midnight to sing. It has been written, “Joy cometh in the morning”, but I will make thy song to break out in the night. For he who lifts the shout of faith and praise in the night, to him verily there SHALL be joy in the morning.

How Good He Is To Me

I love to sing of Christ my King,
Who died on Calvary,
For ev’ry day along the way
How good He is to me!
He makes the night of sorrow bright,
And causes cares to flee;
He makes me glad when I am sad,
How good He is to me!
He builds above, where all is love,
A home which mine will be;
There I shall rest with all the blest,
How good He is to me!
So with a song I’ll go along,
Till I my Savior see,
That souls may know where’er I go
How good He is to me!
How good He is to me,
This friend who made me free!
Each call He heeds,
Fills all my needs;
How good He is to me!
( J. P. Denton, 1916)

Conversations In The Night

Read Psalm 77:1-6,
It doesn’t have to be dark outside for us to be in the middle of the night. Sometimes the darkness is in us. Discouragement moves in, and we like Asaph, who said, “My hand was stretched out in the night without ceasing; my soul refused to be comforted” (v.2). Some translations read, “My sore was running in the night.” what do you do when your soul refuses to be comforted? Asaph tells us what we should do. First, talk to God. “I cried out to God with my voice—to God with my voice; and He gave ear to me” (v.1). Someone has suggested that when you can’t sleep at night, instead of counting sheep, talk to the Shepherd. That’s what Asaph did. Sometimes approaching the Lord is painful. “I remembered God, and was troubled” (v.3). What did he remember about God that troubled him? Perhaps he disobeyed a commandment or doubted a promise. Or perhaps he realized how holy God is and how sinful he is. But talking to the Lord also brings reassurance. “I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times” (v.5). In other words, God can be trusted. He has cared for you in the past, and He will care for you in the future. Second, talk to yourself. “I meditate within my heart, and my spirit makes diligent search” (v 6). Talk to yourself about the Lord. Examine your life and your Christian walk. Your discouragement will be replaced by a song. “I call to remembrance my song in the night” (v.6). When you feel discouraged, get your eyes off your circumstances and onto the Lord. Also, examine your life. Have you disobeyed the Lord? Talk to Him and let Him encourage you. Then talk to yourself and encourage yourself with the things of God. He will give you a song in the night.
(From A Psalm In My Heart)

Sing A New Song

Sing a new song to Jehovah,
for the wonders He has wrought,His right hand and arm most holy triumph to His cause have brought.In His love and tender mercy He has made salvation known,In the sight of every nation He His righteousness has shown.
Truth and mercy toward His people He has ever kept in mind,And His full and free salvation He has shown to all mankind.Sing, O earth, sing to Jehovah, praises to Jehovah sing;With the swelling notes of music shout before the Lord, the King.


Words: Author unknown.
Music: "Austria," arranged by Franz Josef Haydn, 1797

Only Jesus

It is 10:03pm and all that I can think about is; “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved this wretched, wretched, clown, I once was lost but now am found, amazing grace, now come to town.” Only Jesus can give the song in the night that truly comforts the weary, brings peace in the storm, and sets captives free. Only Jesus, can make a melody so soothing that when life is tossing
you every which way on a sea of emotion, that there is a calm that goes beyond understanding. Only Jesus; can strum the heart strings of a soul, and breathe within it the song of redemption. O Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that resonates within this clown, no longer lost, but now am found, Amazing grace spread thru our town.

The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. Ex. 15:2

It's Not Just About Singing

This Issue for August isn't just about “singing” in the night; but about the still small voice that impresses upon our heart, during the "night” of trials, heartache, sickness, and such, a melody of hope. I remember God giving songs to me when I was alone on the floor of my apartment in Penn Valley begging God to let me die because my heart was so broken, even now when I think about it, it still brings tears to my eyes. But God gives songs of encouragement and reminds me of His faithfulness and I press on. Knowing that these “Light Afflictions” are not worthy to be compared to the glory yet to come. (2Cor.4:17) it isn’t always easy, but when we’re still before the Lord, listening, there is a melody of hope and love He sings within our soul, that carries on through the darkest of nights. Your love Lord sustains me.

Lifesong

Empty hands held high Such small sacrifice. If not joined with my life I sing in vain tonight. May the words I say. And the things I do Make my lifesong sing. Bring a smile to You. Let my lifesong sing to You. Let my lifesong sing to You. I want to sign Your name to the end of this day. Knowing that my heart was true. Let my lifesong sing to You. Lord I give my life. A living sacrifice. To reach a world in need. To be Your hands and feet. So may the words I say. And the things I do. Make my lifesong sing.
Bring a smile to You. Hallelujah
Hallelujah. Let my lifesong sing to You. (By Casting Crowns)
Psalm 86:11 says, “Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.” When my heart is not united to fear His name, then what becomes of the lifesong that Jesus purchased on my behalf? My hands will be empty and my sacrifice vain. Instead of a beautiful lifesong resonating the sound of redemption, all that will be heard is a sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 1 Cor. 13:1. I know that the only way my heart can be true is by walking in the truth, and the only way I can know the truth, is by God, teaching me His way. Then my hands and feet can be used to reach a world in need, and the things I do and the things I say, as a living sacrifice will bring a smile to the beautiful face of my Lord and there will be no shame in the signing of His name to the end of the day. Than Hallelujah, Hallelujah, knowing my heart was true. The lifesong Jesus gave, can once again ring true.

Come Ye Who Thirst

John 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

Matthew 5:6 blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

John 4:11 The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water?

John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

John 4:15 And the women saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw.


I Am that living water
Jesus!