Singing to the Lord

 

Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

~Ephesians 5:19,20

We sang to the radio as we drove past old barns

We hummed familiar tunes as we roasted chicken packets on the grill.

We listened to cattle lowing as they crossed the pasture to the barn.

Quietly we stared into the dying embers of the campfire.

 We thanked God for times of refreshing

As we curled up under the quilts 

On a chilly mountain night.

We traveled the Blue Ridge Parkway, camping at Rocky Knob, VA. No electricity, no water, no wifi. We spent most of our time riding the backroads, taking pictures of old barns, and farmhouses, and hiking through a pasture to the ridge to gaze in awe at ridges, upon ridges, upon ridges. I worshipped in those times sometimes singing in my head, sometimes out loud, sometimes just a hum but the words resounded in my mind;  How Great is Our God. As we drove we sang to the radio like teens. We sang Keep Me in the Moment, Confidence, and No Scars in Heaven along with a lot of other songs. 

The Lord wants us to live our lives in joyful song, worshipping and praising him. And what better place to do it than on the quiet drives through the Blue Ridge? We came home with souls refreshed, ready to take on the next moment with confidence, knowing whatever the moment holds heaven awaits with no scars but the scars in the hands that are holding me. 

Psalms 96 

O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth.

Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day.

Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people.

For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens.

Honour and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Give unto the Lord, O ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength.

Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth. Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth: the world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: he shall judge the people righteously.

Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof.

Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice

Before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.

Father God, keep us in the moment. Show us what you have for us. Help us find times for refreshing. Keep us focused and praising you. In Jesus's name. Amen.

Hey Kids:

I'm sure many of you have already attended at least one VBS in your area. For me, VBS was always a time to learn new songs and be reminded of others I'd let slip. 

What was your favorite new song? Do you know why it is a favorite? 

Write down the words and just examine what they say. 

How is the song helping you stay focused on the goodness of God?

How will the song help you when you face hard new challenges?

How will remembering this song give you confidence in your daily walk with the Lord?