Sing A New Song

Over the past few weeks, I have run into many scriptures about singing a new song to the Lord.

After about the sixth one, I sat down with Jesus for a talk.

            “Okay, what’s this about, Jesus? Why is a new song so important?”

Jesus didn’t let me stew long. The very next day I was having lunch in a local cafeteria and overheard many disgruntled comments from other customers.

 "End times are near.”

“People are so mean, I’m keeping the dog inside.”

  “Christmas? Who cares. I can’t afford a free pine cone.”

  “Look at those jokers running for President. None of them can run this country.”

  “I’m tired of my daughter putting off on me all the time. She needs a job, not me.”

  "Close the borders. We’ve got enough problems here.”

  “Muslims are killers.”

I’m not making a judgment call here. What I want you to see is the negative comments. And it went on and on. In fact, I tried hard to hear some good news. I left the diner and went to Walmart. It was packed. Again, I tried hard to listen in on other’s conversations. (I’ll probably go to jail for this. Yikes, that was negative!) Everything was grumbling and complaining.

Driving home, I kept thinking, We’ve got to sing a new song. Then I realized that I’m the one who has to sing a new song. It begins with me. What would have happened had I said something positive to liven up someone’s mood or countered a bitter comment with soothing words?

Yes, our world looks swollen with distrust, apathy, and anger. When bad things happen, people naturally begin to see the worse possible scenario. When bad things continue to happen, and the news is full of it, fear and anxiety heighten.

But . . . if we started singing a new song of joy every time we heard something disconcerting, I wonder what would happen?

            Psalm 98:1 “Oh sing to the Lord a new song, for He has done marvelous things! His right hand and His holy arm have worked salvation for Him.”

            Psalm 40:3 “He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.”

            Psalm 96:1-13 “Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless His name; tell of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.”

            Exodus 15:1-27 “Then Moses and the people of Israel sand this song to the Lord, saying, “I will sing to the Lord for He has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider He has thrown into the sea. The Lord is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. The Lord is a man of war; the Lord is His name.”

These and several more verses exalt God above all things.

I don’t know about you, but when I get in my car I put on my praise music and I sing. Loud! I don’t care what’s on my mind and heart; I don’t care how sour my day has been, when I hear the song, “I will love you” by Jason Crabb, I forget all the mess and remember the One who takes all that mess and makes it beautiful.

I’m ready for a new song. A song that reminds me that God’s got the whole world in His hands and all situations under His will. Don’t get me wrong. We can’t put our head in the sand. We have to be aware of current events. We have to understand that evil is a mighty presence in this world. We have to be prepared . . . to armor up and stand firm. But we don’t have to let all this world’s turmoil tie us up in fearful knots. There is too much to be done for the kingdom of God.

In 2 Chronicles 20:15-23 scripture tells us, “Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.’ 18 Jehoshaphat bowed down with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the Lord.

20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” 21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying:

“Give thanks to the Lord,

for his love endures forever.”

22 As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.”

Sing praises even when the battle is thick. Let the Lord know we are depending on Him to battle for us. We need only be prepared when He calls us to action. In the meantime, we have work to do – to tell everyone about Jesus.

Let everyone hear our new song, “Jesus Christ is Lord! He has come to save all who believe in Him. Rise up, pray, praise, and sing!”

God bless you!

Angela