Today’s Reading:
EXODUS 15:1-8
God has rescued Israel from Egyptian bondage with a mighty hand at the Red Sea as they Crossed over on dry land and their enemy, the Egyptian army drowned in the Sea. Here in Exodus Chapter 15, Israel has something to sing about! So, Moses and Miriam taught them a Song. This is the first recorded song in the Bible; It is a Song of praise and thanksgiving to God who delivered Israel from the hand of the Egyptian Army.
The topic for today is a question, ‘What do you Sing about/What do I Sing about? Singing as worship to God has a rich history in both the Old and the New Testaments of the Bible. God even saw it fit to include a Song Book in the Bible for us, the Book of Psalms. Music in the Bible goes as far back as Genesis 4:21 when Jubal, the Sixth generation from Cain, is sent to be the father of all those who played the Lyre and Pipe. Music and Singing have moved in all sorts of directions in human history with untold millions of Songs having been written or sung for all kinds of purposes. But today, in light of what we see in Exodus 15 and all that follows about singing in the Bible, One thing is clear: God gives us the highest and best reason to sing and He also gives us the highest and best things to sing about. The Bible tells us that Jesus sang with His disciples,( Mark 14:26) and we read in Zephaniah 3:17 – "The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you in his love he will no longer rebuke you but will rejoice over you with singing”. What does God Sing about? You/Me! All who are His! He rejoices over us who are His Children with Singing! And God wants us to have such relationship with Him as our Father through Jesus, that we will rejoice in singing about Him and to Him alone. The Bible talks about the song of fools. We hear those being sung all around us; The world is full of songs that celebrate sin and lust, songs that degrade human dignity and exalt the flesh while ignoring God, songs that mock righteousness and promote wickedness.
Our fallen world is full of music and celebration of darkness and death. For some, it is the only music that they know. The enemy of God is deceptive and clever. He calls us to join in the world's song. Oh, not seriously, just in fun! As if you can fill your mind with the world’s message and not be infected by it. In fact, I am sure that Satan would be very pleased for us to join in with the songs of fools even if we continue to sing the songs of praise to our God. Then we will be like what James Says: “Out of the same mouth comes blessing and Cursing, my brothers/ sisters this should not be.” – James 3:10. Next time or anytime you hear a song, listen to the words carefully. Ask yourself this question: Is this song blessing to God or not! Does it have a message that Jesus would sing about! If so, go ahead and enjoy it and sing along if you please. But if not, don’t. Remember Apostle Paul who wrote, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him”. And Peter wrote, “If any man speaks, let him speak as it were the very words of God”.
What will your song of life be?
In Christ we have Something to sing about.
We have been bought with the price of blood!
We have been delivered from darkness and Sin by God's mighty hand.
We have eternal hope beyond the grave.
We are given the gift of opportunity to repent and receive forgiveness of our sins and deliverance from the yoke of darkness and judgment. God has given us a song to sing, a life to lead before Him and an eternal home to enjoy together with Him.
God calls us to join Him in this song of life. What else do you have to sing about?
NATHANIEL OGUNDAYO
Prayers:
I will call upon and sing unto the Lord who is worthy to be praised, so shall I be delivered from my enemies and from the hands of all that hate me, in Jesus’ name.
This year, I shall speak, and my words shall be testimonies, in Jesus’ name.
This year, I will do the will of God, I will serve God, and have an unconquerable victory, in Jesus’ name.
O God, arise and uproot anything You did not plant in Your Church; and let your fire of revival fall upon your people, in Jesus’ name.
O God let your power of peace and progress overshadow this nation and give us God-fearing leaders, in Jesus’ name.
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