Great privileges are not a sign of approval – not necessarily – not a blessing, but if we use them right; they can be a blessing.
I looked for a greeting card to send to a friend. It’s not every card one can put your name on – I found one with this greeting – “May you always have a song in your heart”. We can wish our friends that. The world sings when all is bright and happy – but God’s people know of a deeper joy – they can have a song. The world knows nothing of the joys of sacrifice. The world knows nothing of what it costs.
Abraham came from the mountain – (where he was to make the great sacrifice). He had a song in his heart. If we had not done God’s bidding, we would have gone through life, thinking the way of God is hard. He proved the provision of God, he had a song – Jehovah – Jirah.
Matt. 25:14-30 The man given the one talent was afraid and did nothing. He thought the Master was a hard man. He did not find joy in sacrifice.
Hannah’s vow – God gave her a son, and she had a big song.
Deborah and Barak had a song because of victory.
No struggle – no victory and no song. Our struggles give us a song.
Paul and Silas – at night they could have a song – the darkest hour. God’s people know of dark experiences, but even dark experiences can give them a song.
Joseph was misunderstood – there was jealousy and hatred – his brothers took away his coat but could not take away his testimony – a song. At the end of these experiences he could say: “God meant it for good.”
A song has many notes – not only one note. Many experiences make music – some notes are long, some notes are short. Some experiences we pass through quickly – others we wonder will they ever end, but they will come to an end and then we will sing – have a song in our hearts.
Someone played the piano in another room – I could not hear the words but enjoyed the melody. We do not know the experience of others, but we can join in the song.
“How can we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?” Not willing for sacrifice – not willing to vow and pay the vow – not willing to get the victory. How could they have a song? They had come into the wrong company. The people around had taken away their song.
I wish for all of us that we would always have a song in our hearts.
A German proverb – “Geen leed, geen lewe.” (No sorrow, no life.)
(Lila Larsen is a sister worker from Sweden)
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