“For long ago in the days of David and Asaph there were directors of the singers, and there were songs of praise and thanksgiving to God.” Nehemiah 12:46
I woke up on Resurrection Sunday with a song in my heart. I sang it quietly as I laid in bed. Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. You see, because Jesus walked out of that grave over 2000 years ago, I can indeed face my tomorrows. Because His Holy Spirit lives within me, I can indeed face all trials and tribulations as they mount. And because He lives, one day my tomorrow will be with Him in Heaven. Easter Sunday was our very first Sunday in Mexico and we were blessed to attend church to worship our Risen Savior. And of course, the entire service was in Spanish. Imagine my surprise when as the service closed, we sang none other than that very song…in Spanish. “Porque el vive.” “Because He lives.” My heart leaped for joy as I loudly sang the same song God delivered that morning…only this time in a new tongue.
In our world of praise and worship today we seem to get the cart before the horse. You see, we think that the song happens first and then penetrates our ears to get into our heart. But my friends, it should be just the opposite. Songs of praising God should originate within the heart and then radiate outwards into the world around us. A song, given unto the world that clearly shows the joy that only Jesus can plant within our heart.
In Nehemiah 12 we see the dedication of the completed wall. And in that celebration of the walls being raised from rubble, we see singing and praise mentioned no less than nine times by God. Nine. You see, the walls that were nothing were now standing tall. God had provided the leadership, labor, protection, and provision to see it done in only 52 days. Two and a half miles of rubble was now a mighty wall, destined to protect God’s people. As the people stood and admired the greatness of God, songs of joy, praise, and thanksgiving originated within their hearts. And they let those feelings flow freely into the world around them in song. And in a verse that gives my heart goosebumps, we find a result of their singing, “And the joy of Jerusalem was heard far away.” The heart generated praise and worship of Almighty God will send a message out into this world.
Today, I pray that you are rejoicing in a close walk with Christ. A closeness that is generating a song within your heart. That daily you are in a study of His Word, allowing its wisdom and wonder to penetrate deep into the recesses of your soul. That you are crying out to Him in prayer all throughout your day, inviting him into every situation and allowing Him to guide it with His hands. That you are in blessed fellowship, allowing other dedicated Christ-followers to speak into your life. And that these three are culminating into Him moving your feet and hands into fruit-bearing service for Him. And as you enjoy this close walk with Christ, I pray that songs of joy will not start by touching your ears, but start within a heart that beats for Jesus.
“The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart exults, And with my song I shall thank Him.” Psalm 28:7
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