Give Rise to the Songs

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. – (Ephesians 5:19-20, NIV)

Encourage each other with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your hearts to the Lord. Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. – (Ephesians 5:19-20, ERV)

Sing songs from your heart to Christ. Sing praises over everything, any excuse for a song to God our Father in the name of our Master, Jesus Christ. – (Ephesians 5:19-20, MSG)

 

Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs are all ways that wise words of truth can be transferred from mind to heart, when given a voice. Music has a magnificent way of moving us from one frame of mind to another. When chosen wisely, songs selected can lift the spirit from chaos to calm, desperate to determined, sorrowful to steady, and from wounded to warrior. As we sing and give thanks to God, something shifts within us and our resolve rises up. The purpose of praise is to acknowledge and celebrate the Lord, yet in doing so, we end up strengthened and encouraged as well. May we ever choose to allow the song in our heart to rise, granting words of truth the room to rejuvenate our resolve.

 

O Lord, let our hearts, 

Give rise to the songs;

You’ve planted in us,

To make resolve strong.

Let all that we say,

Be girded in truth;

Our words, a blessing,

In all that we do.

May Your words of love,

Flood our hearts and minds;

So the songs that rise,

Are gracious and kind.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of music. Thank You that Your truth can be sealed in our hearts through songs. Forgive us for not allowing the truth planted in our hearts to rise and flow from us to encourage and lift others up. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would give ear to the songs that resonate in our hearts, allowing Your love, grace and encouragement to flood every part of our being. Show us how to love those around us well, extending the same encouragement and grace to others that You so generously pour out to us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we sing the songs that You have planted deep within us, and encourage others with Your goodness and grace. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. – Psalm 96:1

A New Song to Sing

He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see what He did and worship Him. They will put their trust in the Lord. – (Psalm 40:3, ERV)

He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what He has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord. – (Psalm 40:3, NLT)

 

When we choose to invest our lives in Christ, we are an ongoing work in progress. As we listen to His heart for us, we cannot help but find that a new song is resonating within us. Our praise is purposeful as we stand in awe of the goodness of God. The life that we lead becomes the song that we sing – to God and before others. When our hearts hold gratitude, that is what overflows in the things that we say and do. Praise perpetuates praise. People see the positive power that God with us has, and want it for themselves. Trust in the Lord comes, as people recognize who He is, and how He loves. May we rise each day, ready to sing the new song that He is birthing within us, and love well, all whom we encounter.

 

Old song of sorrow,

such melancholy;

by Hannah Queen @ honeyandjam.com

in Christ is transformed,

to sweet melody.

For in a heart full,

of thanks and of praise;

a new song shall rise,

to Ancient of Days.

Our song shall be sweet,

tender and with grace;

making others want,

peace in their own space.

Desire to know,

our reason for praise;

let us keep singing,

to show of His ways.

O Lord, may our hearts,

give glory to You;

so people may know,

the light of Your truth.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that when we come to You and place our trust in You, You give us a new song to sing. Though we will still have struggles and trials, the melody of our lives is one of thanks and praise for all that You are and all that You do. Thank You that You are present and trustworthy, and that You never leave us nor forsake us. Forgive us for hiding the song that You place in our hearts to sing. Teach us to trust You more, so that our very lives will sing of Your loving kindness and grace. Show us how to love others in such a way, that they will see You through us. May many come to place their trust in You. Be glorified O God, as we let our lives sing the new song You place in our hearts. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. – Proverbs 11:25

Priests to Serve

And they sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” – (Revelation 5:9-10)

 

As John was experiencing his revelation from God, I can only imagine the awe that unfolded as he watched Jesus receive the scroll, and recognize that He alone, was worthy to open it. More than that, what a treasured hope to behold the sight and sound of a choir filling the heavens, all praising God together, as all worshiped as one, from every tribe, language, people and nation. We, as believers, are being gathered unto Him, and being made priests to one day reign with Him. Our songs of praise have much to point out. He gave His life, bought ours with His, is calling us unto Him, is making us priests, and appointing us to reign on earth. May we live our lives from a posture of praise, and seek to honor Him, with all of our days.

 

He gave His life,

so that we might find;

hope to behold,

and share with mankind.

The Lamb of God,

He’s worthy alone;

to open scrolls,

and sit on the throne.

He purchased men,

from every land;

paid with His life,

hope to understand.

Heaven declares,

together as one;

Christ is our hope,

defeat is now done.

Sing a new song,

all praise to the Lamb;

Who set us free,

with salvation’s plan.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You alone are worthy of all honor and praise, and that You are the One who is able to open the seals on the scrolls. Thank You that there is nothing too difficult for You, so we need not ever fear, for You are always with us. Thank You that You willingly laid down Your life for ours, so that we could have Your Spirit with us now, and dwell with You forever. Forgive us for our fears and doubts, and for all that we say and do that does not bring praise unto You. Teach us to live with the sort of trust that radiates from our very being, so that all those around us cannot help but want to know what is different about us. May we be Your hands and heart to the world. Let those who are looking, be found in You. Be exalted O God, in our every word and deed. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. – James 5:11

Why We Wait

“I waited patiently for the Lord;

He turned to me and heard my cry.

He lifted me out of the slimy pit,

out of the mud and mire;

He set my feet on a rock

and gave me a firm place to stand.

He put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear

and put their trust in the Lord.

Blessed is the man

who makes the Lord his trust,

who does not look to the proud,

to those who turn aside to false gods.”

– (Psalm 40:1-4)

Waiting is never fun nor easy, however, it often is a season that God uses to grow greater, the depth of our dependence on Him.  In Psalm 40, verses one through four, David is speaking of the benefits that he has found in waiting on the Lord.

First, God lifted him out of his space of despair.  He could not accomplish this on his own, rather it happened only after he had called on the Lord and cried out for His help.

Next, the Lord set his feet upon a rock and gave him a firm place to stand.  God took David’s space of instability, and created a firm foundation that would not be moved.  Again, such solutions are not man-made, but rather received through our Redeemer.

Finally, David says that “He put a new song in my mouth”.  Where sorrow had once dwelled, songs of praise were now rising up.  God alone can turn our mourning into dancing, and our sorrow into joy.  As we place our trust in Him alone, He is our Refuge and our Redeemer, and well worth the wait.

Wait on the Lord,

for He hears our cries;

trust that He’s good,

allow faith to rise.

Despite despair,

our troubles or strife;

He can rescue,

grant hope and new life.

Unsteady ground,

He’ll make firm to stand;

He’s rock solid,

our life’s in His hands.

Where sorrow dwells,

new songs will rise up;

as we trust Him,

He will fill our cup.

Look nowhere else,

trust in Him alone;

give God the reigns,

our Foundation Stone.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that as we wait on You, You hear our cries, and You further develop our character and grow us closer to You.  Thank You that Your timing is not our timing, and that Your ways are far higher than our ways.  Forgive us for our impatience or for seeking solutions anywhere other than from You.  Teach us to trust You more, so that we may understand, even in the mire, You are moving mightily.  Lead us to love as You love us, and help us to sing out the songs that rise up.  May our life be lived as a song of praise unto You, and may many come to know who You are, and place too, their trust in You.  Be glorified through how we live out our days.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

You have made known to me the paths of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence.

– Acts 2:28

He is Our Righteousness

Sing to the Lord a new song;

sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, all day long,

share of His glorious worth.

Declare His greatness to all,

share of His marvelous deeds;

heed word and answer His call,

the Lord, who meets all our needs.

Great is God, worthy of praise;

Maker of heaven and earth.

Let us worship all our days,

Him who is of matchless worth.

Let us ascribe to the Lord,

glory and strength due His Name;

together, in one accord,

show the world the truth that we claim.

Worship the Lord in splendor,

because of His holiness;

give Him all in surrender,

for He is our righteousness.

(Responding to Psalm 96:1-9)

As I was reading, the song How Great is Our God, by Chris Tomlin, kept going through my head. Click the link to have a listen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKLQ1td3MbE

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You is not nearly enough to express our gratitude for who You are and what You have done for us and in us. Forgive us for not giving honor that is due Your Name, and teach us to live our lives as an ongoing act of worship unto You. May our life song be sweet as we are surrendered to You, and may many be moved towards You, our Maker, through the melody of our praise. Be glorified, O God, for You are ALL that is good. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present