Welcome to Faith Connections Friday!! Spring has arrived! The winter has passed, and a new season has begun. We have entered the season of radiant colors, delightful scents, and new life! Blooming flowers, singing birds, and the warming sun fill our hearts.
Springtime produces something within us that makes us want to sing. Taking a moment to go outside and hear nature sing is refreshing and inspiring. I recall a teacher describing a time she was enjoying an early morning drive and, in the distance, she saw a moose. She stopped to take in the moment. As she watched this creature, he raised his head and sang his beautiful song of praise to the heavens. Wow! I can just imagine the experience was breathtaking and overwhelming.
Sometimes, the thought of singing is not joyful, even when everything else around us seems bright. We all experience difficult times, personally, our loved ones, and our dear friends. Our hearts ache. These times test our faith, and we wonder how much more we can bear.
There are numerous verses in Scripture that speak of people who sing for joy during the appointed feasts and times of celebration and victory. There are also verses that speak of times when life is hard, yet the people still sing. One such example is found in Acts 16 when Paul and Silas sang hymns while they were in prison. Shortly thereafter, they were miraculously freed, and many received salvation. Lamentations speaks of afflictions and darkness. Yet, we are reminded in 3:22-25 (NKJV), there is hope. We are not consumed by trials because God’s compassions do not fail, “They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.” God is faithful. In addition, Zephaniah 3:17 (NKJV) testifies that the Lord will save, “He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” The Lord, our Father, loves us and sings over us!
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord” (Colossians 3:16, NKJV).
Our Faith Connections Challenge: Find a time to be still and sing. Make up your own song using the verses referenced. Do you feel a difference? Enjoy and be blessed!
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