Psalms

The Power of Song

Posted on by Betsy

Last week we sang A Mighty Fortress is our God in worship, and I was immediately transported back to a time in a different church when I had come under attack by a church member. My charismatic friends assured me that the attack was from the Enemy, who was trying to thwart my ministry and derail me from doing God’s work. In the midst of that pain and confusion, we sang A Mighty Fortress, and I felt the blessed peace of God’s protection come over me. I remember looking up and finding the friend who had been diligently praying for me during this turbulent time. She was staring at me with a look of ”SEE!!! This is God’s answer!” on her face. It brought me immense comfort. Are you feeling down today? Are you under attack? Read this:

1 A mighty fortress is our God,
a bulwark never failing;
our helper he, amid the flood
of mortal ills prevailing.
For still our ancient foe
does seek to work us woe;
his craft and power are great,
and armed with cruel hate,
on earth is not his equal.

2 Did we in our own strength confide,
our striving would be losing,
were not the right Man on our side,
the Man of God’s own choosing.
You ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is he;
Lord Sabaoth his name,
from age to age the same;
and he must win the battle.

3 And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

4 That Word above all earthly powers
no thanks to them abideth;
the Spirit and the gifts are ours
through him who with us sideth.
Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever! 

Being able to sing our way out of a difficult time is a true blessing, and a gift from God. Many times music can provide the necessary release we need, as we find the raw emotion to express our feelings of remorse, joy, awe, surrender, and humility. The psalms provide us with the language of faith during life’s challenges that might otherwise leave us speechless and floundering in doubt. The power of song is huge. That is why the Israelites who were exiled in Babylon sang so much, their captors asked to be entertained by their singing. (Psalm 137:7) That is why singing was so important when Hezekiah restored worship in the temple … the king, his officers, and everyone gathered sang praises with gladness. (2 Chronicles 29:30) That is why Jehoshaphat sent the choir out to battle first, providing the frontline of defense against Israel’s enemies. (2 Chronicles 20:21) That is why the disciples left the upper room after the Last Supper and sang hymns on the way to the Mount of Olives. (Matt. 26:30) Our faith, our hope, and our hearts are strengthened when we sing. 


I think that the Enemy hates it when we sing. Our songs can become spiritual weapons against the present darkness that threatens to undo us, especially when we unify our hearts, minds, and voices into one consolidated power, made possible by the Holy Spirit. Remember that Paul and Silas were once imprisoned. They were praying and singing hymns while the other prisoners listened to them. Suddenly there was a huge earthquake and immediately all of the doors of the jail were opened, and everyone’s chains were unlocked. (Acts 16:25-26) There is power in song!

God indeed inhabits the praises of his people! The power of praise is greater than he who is in the world, so sing, my brothers and sisters!

Just sing.

Just Sing by Kathy Schumacher


Connections

Posted on by Betsy

The logic of a four-year-old is astounding. Connor and I sat on the floor and created four animals out of mega blocks. We made a moose, a dog, an alligator, and a giraffe. Then Connor realized that our animals were likely to go running amuck, so we needed to build a fence. We sorted out all the short four-peg blocks for the bottom row, and then started to build a second layer. I handed him a single-peg block to begin the top layer and he said, “Nana, we need one with two or three so we can connect the bottom row and the animals can’t get out. Otherwise they can kick through it.” He picked up a three-peg block and placed it across two of the bottom row blocks, connecting them.

Yup. Confounded and corrected by a four-year-old.

I was reminded of the simple lesson that “together, we can do more.” I belong to a denomination that is highly connectional, and that is our greatest strength…and our most vulnerable aspect. A global connection is a heavy and weighty thing. When we think and dream together, it is powerful. When our differences are too big to overcome, the connection starts to break.

That is the macro-lesson, and I don’t have any answers for it. But taken in the micro, this logic of a four-year-old can reap many applications. Marriages are strengthened when both parties ensure the connection is strong by putting the needs of the other first. Families are happier when the connections are real, uninterrupted, intentional, and focused. Work teams function better when roles and responsibilities are interconnected and people work together toward a common goal.

I spent time with a large group of friends at a restaurant recently and realized at the end of the meal that I had not exchanged any words with one of them, other than our initial greeting. I was regretting this until my husband, who sat directly across from him, remarked that he was playing games on his phone the entire evening. Suffice it to say that it is hard to connect with someone when he or she is already connected to something else.

But to take it even smaller, think about your connection to your Maker. From the moment of your conception you were connected, even if you didn’t realize it.

Psalm 139 (NIV)

13 For you created my inmost being;

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

your works are wonderful,

I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you

when I was made in the secret place,

when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;

all the days ordained for me were written in your book

before one of them came to be.

God knit us together in our mother’s womb. The choice of brown or blue eyes, black or blond hair, vanilla or chocolate skin, is all part of his artistry. He is our first and most intimate connection, and like Connor’s animal fence, his connection with us acts as a safety barrier if we just follow his direction:

5 You hem me in behind and before,

and you lay your hand upon me.

6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

too lofty for me to attain.

It is all too easy to disconnect today. That thing in your pocket that “connects” you to the world disconnects you from the people right across the table from you. Real connection is what we were built for from the very beginning.

When we lose our connection with each other, we lose our humanity. When we lose our connection with God, we lose all that is holy.

Where is God calling you to connect today? Do you need to reach out to someone who is being ignored (or ignoring you) and have a real conversation? Do you need to stop the crazy of your life and reconnect with God? Are you so busy doing for others that you need to connect with your own soul?

We aren’t meant to do this life solo. God longs to be fully engaged in our daily everything and creates community for us to build one another up and be his people. Let him come in with his mega blocks and provide a safe space. Together, with God and each another, we CAN do more.

Connor’s Animal Fence