He’s Singing Over Us – Time for Us to Sing over Him

A dear friend who is an accomplished vocalist and guitarist recently tripped going up deck stairs and broke her wrist. Surgery was required and thanks be to God the surgery was a success but a hard cast plus therapy is in store for her. This precious woman has been an incredibly faithful music leader for several faith-based organizations and her church. Can we imagine losing the ability (even temporarily) of a talent and ability that has been such a blessing to so many?

I pray she hears God singing over her as she has sung and played for Him so faithfully. Zephaniah 3:17 says: "The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will be quiet in his love. He will delight in you with singing.”

Here’s the thing about my friend and you and me. God is always aware of what is going on in our lives at every moment. And, even when we become children of God and are obedient to Him, honoring and serving Him, troubles may still come our way and our sunshine-filled days turn into rainy days, and even storm-filled days. This is where scripture tells us to “offer the sacrifice” of praise. We don’t always feel like praising the Lord in joyful singing. Sometimes we're down, depressed and hurting closing the shades, staying in bed and pulling the covers over our head, just makes sense.

But, don't go there. Instead, offer a sacrifice of praise! A sacrifice is something not easy to give. It costs something. It takes more effort than we can put out. Why bother? Surely God will understand. Yes, He might understand, but He knows praise defeats the enemy who is trying to get the best of us. That's why there are many scriptures that urge us to praise!

It is often called “a sacrifice of praise” in scripture. Hebrews 13:15-16 says: “Through Him, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips that acknowledge His name. Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” What? Doing good and sharing what we have are considered sacrifices of praise to God.

In our country, it’s almost impossible to not hear negativity – hurting people hurt people and things (i.e, lost lives, properties and beloved sites destroyed, and distraught and hurting people). Too often we are waiting on God to do something when He is waiting on us to make the first move. He has already made the first move by all that Jesus did on the cross. He has provided liberally for our salvation, our healing, our provision as well as other things too numerous to count.

It’s time for us to hit the ground running each day – with sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving. Sometimes we don’t know where to start or what to say because we haven’t been used to doing it. But, let’s try it. Be specific. For example: “I praise you, God, for keeping my family safe from the C-Virus. I thank you that I’ve still been able to work. I praise you for my home, my car, my food, my clothes.”

It may not be easy to utter those words – but that’s what a sacrifice is. Praise changes us, as well as the atmosphere around us. It lifts the down feeling that settles in on us. Someone said, “You have to make your own sunshine.” Praise to God has a way of moving the clouds out and bringing the sunshine in. So, today, "God, we enter into your gates with thanksgiving and into your courts with praise!" That's the least we can do for He Who sings over us daily.

Living the Life, We Were Born to Live

Remember the line by Mother Abbess to Maria in the epic movie “The Sound of Music" – “Maria, these walls were not meant to shut out problems. You have to face them. You have to live the life you were born to live.” Such words of wisdom: “We must live the life we were born to live.”

In the grand scheme of things, we probably are living the lives we were born to live if we’re staying determined, positive, fear-less, strong, trusting God and being the best version of ourselves that we can be. Maybe you are one of those who studied, trained and acquired their degrees and professional licenses to serve as doctors, nurses, and other medical personnel who are living those lives and are giving your gifts back to God and to us. Maybe you’re living the life you were born to live if you’re a truck driver, an essential service worker, or are in so many other businesses that are serving in tremendous ways to help those who need you so much.

Maybe you are a parent who is working from home and are facilitating home schooling while doing your work. You, too are living the life you were born to live – right in the middle of all of this – if you believe that you have been “called”.

I posted a great “Dad” video of the Senior Engineer of my son’s company last week. He spent time and energy, certainly beyond his business talents, to have all-out fun with his three children – using a simple water bottle and balls. His children were active participants in this “World of a Dad in Playland”. Right here in a time when he must work from home, this Dad found time to adventure with his children. And, quite frankly, I tend to think “THAT is the life he was born to live.” The life that is right here, right now, embracing the moments, making memories, creating family ties and bonds, and sharing it with the world – when the world needs to see something far greater than negative news reports and folks who are bemoaning their situation instead of “living the life they were destined to live.”

Yesterday, I was reminded of Who our Good Shepherd is in Psalm 23:1-7 “The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and your staff – they comfort me……” We have definitely been through the valley of the shadow of death as we daily hear new death tolls, but at the same time, we’re also living on the mountaintop of healing as we watch the recoveries’ numbers go up! Praise God!

Bottom line – are we being willing, obedient sheep who are allowing our Lord, our Shepherd, to lead and guide us into these “pastures” in our homes or hospitals or services as His devoted followers? He must have something in mind for us. Our Shepherd always looks out for His sheep and has placed us in a state of dependence – right where sheep typically live. No wonder “I shall not want” were words King David used in penning that beautiful and poetic psalm. In trusting Him and His “lead”, we'll be living the lives were born to live.