Day 4 - Week 53 - Ephesians 5:19 "Speaking to one another in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music to the Lord in your heart."

I cannot say this verse without "singing in my heart" the words from one of my favorite spiritual songs, "His Eye is on the Sparrow." 

I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free!

Don't you think that when God hears those words coming out of a heart turned toward Him that He smiles?  When He hears those words, He knows that His child gets it...His child understands His deep love and the freedom that Christ died to give us. 

Are there phrases from psalms, hymns or spiritual songs that resonate in your head?  Do you have favorites that encourage you as you go through tough days?  I'd love to know what they are! 

I seem to keep coming back to the spirit of joy that we should have.  It seems to me that a joyless Christian (that should be an oxymoron!) would not be one that would spontaneously burst into song...even internally!  I know there are things that we, as Christians, should be deeply concerned about; I know that there are world issues that are so troubling; I know that there are times when it seems that nothing is going right, or according to the way we feel that God desires.  But we, as Spirit-filled Christians, need to remember that God is the Victor!  His plan does succeed...and there are parts of His plan that we just don't get.  Faith in His sovereignty and His overriding ability can enable us to be joyful in the midst of this crazy world. 

I'm thinking this morning of the people of southern Illinois (my birthplace) and praying that they are feeling God's arms of comfort around them in the middle of their chaos.  For today has to be one of the worst days of their lives - worse than yesterday, I believe.  Today the reality sets in - for some the reality of a lost home, for some the reality of a lost loved one.  In those times, can we even find a shred of joy? 

The only way I know to do that is to dwell on His words of comfort, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."  Or from David the Psalmist,

Your righteousness, God, reaches to the skies, you who have done great things. Who is like you, God? Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.  You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.   I will praise you with the harp for your faithfulness, my God; I will sing praise to you with the lyre, Holy One of Israel.  My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you-- I, whom you have redeemed.  Psalm 71-19-23

Or to find the words of an old hymn...

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.



Or from a spiritual song of today...

I was sure by now
God You would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm.

God understands our pain, and He certainly doesn't want a false joy, a smile pasted on when we want to cry.  He just wants to hear us affirm that we know He is still there, that He cares and that He loves us, and that, one day, we will wake and find that He has restored our joy, possibly greater than before.