Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth….Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the Lord Himself is God…Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. (from Psalm 100)

Some may ask, “What does today’s theme have to do with me?” I  suspect everything. I believe we each have a song and, whether we know it or not, we are singing it continually. The question becomes, “Can we name our tune?”

We each have a song scape dictating of our lives. Most of us never intentionally contribute to it; it is composed by default in the happenstance of experience. We should tremble at the notion of happenstance because the enemy of our souls is quite intentional. He has a repertoire of siren songs driving popular culture, each with its own hook designed to snag the indiscriminate consumer, each one providing an alternate and shaded interpretation of reality.

If life is just happening to us, a corrupted reality is being imprinted on us by default. And, if our songs are being shaped by this world, they will become dirges ultimately fueling our worst nightmares. It is in this uncensored atmosphere where the prince of this world operates. In carefully metered dosages he injects his well-crafted distortions into society, leading us like unwitting cattle to the judgement awaiting him and those he will dupe. I believe we must intentionally and continually edit our songs as a matter of life and death.

As agents of choice, the elect are not exempt from the battle. I’m sure Satan revels over his gains among God’s people. Most of us are indiscriminate consumers of everything the world (and our branch of Christianity) is selling. Consequently the church’s song can barely be heard in western culture. However, we can take heart. God too is intentional and he will neither douse the smoldering wick nor will he extinguish a muted song. I believe it is God’s heart to transform our dirges into anthems of praise. I believe this, not only because it is proposed in scripture; I have experienced it in my life.

I learned that music was playing within me the hard way. In 2010, physical pain, emotional and relational distress brought me to my knees, causing me to ask if something might be amiss within me. I knew I had to take responsibility for my song. Although it was not initially good news, I was finally able to name my tune. In fact it was It a hymn. Perhaps you know it;  “It Is Not So Well With My Soul”. There was no joyfully shouting to the Lord. My song was more of a whimpering complaint.

With the help of some seasoned brothers in Christ, I started listening to the song in my heart and taking responsibility for it. Proverbs 4:23 captures the idea beautifully…

Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.

I also think of Isaiah 26:3.

The steadfast of mind Thou wilt keep in perfect peace, because He trusts in Thee.

And Romans 12:2….

Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

These verses are telling us we are responsible to recompose our own songs. We must discover and nurture them, boldly singing them everywhere we go. Until we stand before Him, we must…

Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth….Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the Lord Himself is God…Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

Father, please reveal our song to us. Please release shepherds who can help us recognize and care for our own music. May our hearts collaborate with you – enabling us to become those singers who will worship you in Spirit and in Truth. May Your Bride hear the Spirit’s song within her. Amen.

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