My Strength and My Song
I have an addiction! It’s because of a long line of folks who were equally addicted. One of the meanings of “addiction” is: “enthusiastically devoted to a particular thing or activity”. I am addicted to old AND new songs of faith. I didn’t have to tell you that because I confess to that addiction often when I have another hymn, song or chorus playing in my head which becomes a part of one of my blogs.
When I lived in Tulsa, I attended and served on a women’s faith-based retreat each year. At the end of the day, we would find time to play the song game, Encore. Divided into two teams, the game is won by those who could belt out the most songs that contain a specific word found on a drawn card. The gals wanted me on their team because I knew lots of songs, most of which were faith-based!
I grew up in an evangelical, traditional family and church where we sang those beautiful old hymns that were inspired by the pioneers of faith who learned to trust God in the toughest of times. They found His goodness amid the storms. Then I met a pastor’s kid, fell in love with him, later married and continued our love for that good old Gospel music. Before long, a new style of Christian music was introduced to us. Andrae Crouch and the Disciples’ songs and Bill and Gloria Gaither’s songs became songs we sang in our Masters IV Quartet – all catchy songs with choruses that inspired passion and emotion. Those new songs then, are old songs today, but I still embrace them, as well as the many beautiful songs written by Christian composers and artists today!
Music is a common theme and battle cry throughout scripture. David with his harp soothed the weary soul of King Saul. It was by singing and dancing later that King David expressed his joy that the Ark of the Covenant was being returned. And, it has been music that has been central to our family’s lives — writing, recording, and singing. Music is so powerful. It heightens our emotions, calms our fears, brings light into dark places, and gives us the overflowing joy to not resist dancing, clapping, or tapping to the beat.
It’s no surprise that God is called MY SONG in scripture. MY SONG was the name that Moses used to describe God as he celebrated the miraculous deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt. Moses just had to sing because his heart couldn’t contain the gratitude and awe he felt for God. He called the Lord MY SONG. He felt compelled to worship. God had freed and SAVED His people through miracle after miracle. “The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.” (Psalm 118:14)
Shouldn’t we be belting out songs, too? If God is our SONG, then how can we not sing? How can we not find a song – OUR SONG, God – in both the everyday routine and in the miraculous of our lives. I MUST sing because my heart can’t contain the gratitude and awe I FEEL for God. Like Moses and the Israelites, He has been my salvation.
Bill Gaither’s words in “God Gives the Song” are my words, too. “You ask me why my heart keeps singing, why I can sing when things go wrong. Since I’ve found the SOURCE of music, I just can’t help it. God gave the song.” Are you addicted to uplifting and encouraging, hope-filled songs, too?
Psalm 98:4 “Shout to the LORD, all the earth; break out in praise and sing for joy!”