Rēad to Read …Again
Daily Reading: Judges 3-5
Judges 5:1-2
Then sang Deborah and Barak the son of Abinoam on that day, saying, Praise ye the Lord for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves.
“On that day” was the day of victory. On that day Deborah and Barak sang a duet of praise unto the Lord God for giving them the victory. On that day they gave honor, praise, and glory to the Lord God of Heaven. Of special note: this is the third great song of praise recorded in the Bible, the first is found in Exodus 15 (the song of Moses after crossing the Red Sea), the second in Deuteronomy 32 (another song of Moses about the Rock of Israel).
Songs of praise, how sweet they are to the soul that trusts in God. About 300 years ago an English statesman by the name of Melville said, “Praise is the best auxiliary to prayer. He who most bears in mind what has been done for him by God will be most emboldened to ask for fresh gifts from above.” Prayer, preaching and praise all seem to go hand in hand for the child of God. Like a threefold cord the one who learns to use all three will not soon be broken. Think of Paul and Silas in that jail cell in Philippi on that night so long ago, they prayed and sang praises at midnight to the glory of God. That midnight hour when all seems lost pray and sing praises and the day star will shine in your hearts (II Peter 1:19). The clouds will part, and the sun will rise, clearing all confusion, darkness and fear from the soul.
How little many estimate the power of praise. Yet, twice in the New Testament God gives a reminder of the influence of singing His praises. Ephesians 5:19 states; Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; and Colossians 3:16 reminds us why; Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
So, sing! Sing unto the Lord. Sing a new song, sing your song. Six times in the Old Testament a “new song” is mentioned. Twice in the book of Revelation they sung a new song. Old Songs of our faith are vital in many ways, yet a new song, your song, if it praises Him and His work on your behalf, must be, to use an old adage, “music to His ears.” My favorite hymn is “I am Resolved.” My own personal song is “The Preacher man Blues.” I don’t know if it is a song of praise or sorrow, but it speaks to me, and I hope He enjoys it too. How about you, what is your song?
Dr. William T. Howe
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