Revive Me, Week 5–a Year of Growing Stronger in the Lord
Sing On!
“It thrills my soul to hear the songs of praise…” The blessings of singing in worship are many. The words lift our hearts above the troubles of this world. The songs themselves often recall precious memories of people or events. Singing with the saints draws us closer together. And did you know that the very act of singing is a natural mood lifter?
Singing was a special part of my upbringing. I recall singing with my family in the car and singing with my sister while washing dishes. Certain songs remind me of my dad’s tenor or my grandma’s alto. As Neal and I brought up our three sons, singing was always a part of our evening devotionals. Now that most of our days and evenings are spent without our sons, I find myself singing less.
Today we had a “5th Sunday Singing.” Members from surrounding congregations came together this afternoon for the sheer pleasure of praising God in song. I was struck by the words to one of the songs:
“The greatest joy that I have ever known, is praising Him in song,
I know some day, when I have older grown, my voice will not be strong.”
(“The New Song” by J. R. Baxter, Jr.)
Right then I started listening to Neal’s strong tenor and wondered what it will be like to hear him in another twenty years. I imagine his shaky voice will still carry conviction and will still move me. And so, here is this week’s “Revive Me” challenge: sing on. Sing more. Yes, sing out in worship and in your family devotionals, but also in the car, in your kitchen, and while you’re doing laundry. Sing with your children and with your husband. Sing by yourself. Let those around you see (hear) your joy. Express the song in your heart. There is gloom in the world but there’s a call for rejoicing for every child of God. I don’t know how I’ve gotten away from it but I’m determined to sing more for as long as I can, before “my voice will not be strong.”
“Sing for joy in the Lord, O you righteous ones;
praise is becoming to the upright” (Psa. 33:1).
Suggestions for the Week:
- Go through the songbook and sing songs you haven’t sung in a while.
- Enjoy songs that convict or touch your personal spiritual need.
- Choose a psalm or psalms and create your own tune to the words. This would be fun to do as a family.
- Remember why singing is a good idea: Psa. 9:11; 96:1,2; 104:33; 147:1; Eph. 5:19,20; Col. 3:16; James 5:13; Acts 16:25.
- Go through the Psalms and highlight the ones that have to do with singing.
- Do the Bible-marking on “Songs from Scripture.”
Life and Favor (Job 10:12) 