Friday: Further Thought – Singing the Lord’s Song in a Strange Land
Daily Lesson for Friday 2nd of February 2024
Read Psalms 56:1-13; Ellen G. White, “Rejoicing in the Lord,” pages 115–126, in Steps to Christ.
Like the psalmists, God’s people of all times wonder every so often how to sing the Lord’s songs in “a strange land.” Our faith in the sovereign rule of the Lord is challenged, at times severely, and we may ponder whether God is in control or truly as powerful and good as the Scriptures say.
Image © Stan Myers from GoodSalt.com
Biblical faith often implies uncertainty and suspense as much as confidence and assertion. Sometimes uncertainty and suspense, especially in the face of evil and God’s seeming absence, can be almost unbearable. Yet, uncertainty must never be about God or His loving and righteous character and trustworthiness. The psalmists may be uncertain about the future, but they often appeal to God’s unfailing love and faithfulness (Psalms 36:5-10; Psalms 89:2,8).
Likewise, we are to follow the same example. “Summon all your powers to look up, not down at your difficulties; then you will never faint by the way. You will soon see Jesus behind the cloud, reaching out His hand to help you; and all you have to do is to give Him your hand in simple faith and let Him lead you. As you become trustful you will, through faith in Jesus, become hopeful.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, pp. 578, 579.
The times when God “hides His face” do not undermine the efficacy of prayer. On the contrary, these occasions cause the psalmists to examine themselves, recall God’s past saving acts, and seek God with confession and humble petitions (Psalms 77:10-12, Psalms 89:46-52). “Faith grows strong by coming in conflict with doubts and opposing influences. The experience gained in these trials is of more value than the most costly jewels.”—Ellen G. White, Testimonies for the Church, vol. 3, p. 555.
Discussion Questions
- What tensions did the psalmists experience in the face of evil? What similar tensions have you faced, and how have you dealt with them? How do you maintain your faith during these times?
- Where should we look for answers when our faith in God is tested by trials or by people whose own sufferings cause them to question the goodness and power of God?
- How do you answer the common question about evil in a world created and sustained by an all-powerful God of love? How does the great controversy motif help answer, at least somewhat, this challenge?
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One of the issues about having a Doctorate in computer science is that people have the perception that “Doctor” means “healer”. And I often get asked to fix other people’s computers. I could argue that I think about computers and am not a practitioner, but some people (particularly my family) know me too well to buy that argument. I grew up on a farm where, if something broke, you fixed it. Fortunately, in those days you could fix most things with a shifting spanner, a screw-driver, or, in a worst case scenario, a sledgehammer. That “fixit” approach has been at the back of my whole computing experience and had underpinned the notion that good theory and good practice go together.
This week we have been studying psalms which are essentially the emotional/theory part of our experience. It has been great to share words with one another and to receive affirmation for what we have written from other Christians. But that theory has to extend beyond the keyboard into the practical world. What sort of Psalm to we need to sing in our strange land today? Does our Psalm get drowned in the cacophony of secularism? Does our theory extend out into the community in a practical way? Or, is our song sung in a language that nobody understands?
One of the big surprises from reading the Gospels through it how much space is devoted to how to live the love of Jesus. Their theology is surprisingly pragmatic.
In Revelation we read:
Maybe it is not talking just about singing it in the new earth. Perhaps we need to start practising it now.
Over a week ago a close friend and former coworker (and his wife) lost their home and possessions in a house fire. I haven't found a way to reach out to them. He didn't answer his phone or respond to texts or voicemail but I tried to convey my sympathy and offer any help. The best thing I said was that we were thankful that he and his cat escaped the fire unharmed. His wife was out of town. I mentioned that SOMEONE else was in the fire with him!
Today's lesson had some reassuring Bible verses and another one I found that was equally encouraging for them and all of us that I sent to them and want to share with the blog:
Psalm 36:6 O Lord, you preserve man and beast.
Psalm 36:7
Psalm 57:1
Romans 8:31
I ended by saying my hope is that they don't lose faith in Him in whom we put our trust and that it increases more each day. The same hope for all of us! Pray he gets the message !!
Thank you for your prayers! The prayers were answered. He got the text message this time and responded. He said God is good and agreed that some things are replaceable but he wasn't one of those things! He was so appreciative for being saved from the fire. Also his kitty!
Thanks so much ... we will sing a new song today and forever ... Hallelujah.Amen
I consider the assault against faith in general and Christian Faith in particular to focus the efforts of the enemies of God during the end of times. The more people can be convinced to accept there is no God governing the affairs of man, the more will be persuaded to determine for themselves which values they adopt and which guidelines, if any, they want to follow.
The great success of the enemy's strategy will become evident when the time comes that the false prophet declares that all wanting to live need to worship the beast; will Jesus find faith on the earth which once sung the Lord’s Song freely? Luke 18:7-9.
Ellen White’s statement included in this lesson notes that as long ‘as we still confront doubt and opposing influences’, our faith can remain strong. Yes, it will prove difficult to continuously 'sing the Lord’s Son in a strange land,' though we cannot give up! It is given to every new generation to confirm that they still believe in the God of their fathers.
The children of Israel learned to sing the Lord’s song as they grew into a prosperous nation governed by God's laws and ordinances which established every aspect of their lives in the land promised to their fathers.
Generations following still need to accept to live by loving our heavenly Father with all their heart if they want to learn to sing the Lord’s song in their strange land. Will we be their shining light on the hill, the lighthouse in this storm-tossed world to guide the seeking and struggling souls home?
This is interesting:
Can you picture with me old Moses....really old, 120 years....white beard flowing, eyes still clear, singing his swan song to God? It is beautiful, the whole of Deuteronomy 32.
Singing is not a trivial matter, indeed it is our life. The more time these fragile, worn-out, broken instruments of ours spend in praise, the more beautiful it is for God to hear. The more we resonate and vibrate with the praises sung in heaven. And then for all eternity we will sing songs of God's character shown in our redemption (Is. 35:10; Rev. 5:9-10). Singing will remain, rooted in Earth's suffering, rooted in our suffering, rooted in God's suffering for us and with us, forever. The greatest song will always be the song sprung from suffering. We will never forget the price Jesus paid so that we forgiven sinners can sing with everlasting joy.
Esther - thank you for sharing this beautiful song of Moses. It is good to be reminded to consider that all God's care for mankind springs from His loving kindness toward us.
I agree that as we sing God's praises, our living soul becomes more beautifully tuned and will resonate more perfectly the harmonies which only God can provide - "For we are His workmanship created for good works" - Eph. 2:10.
Lots of food for thought, for sure! Thank you, Esther 😊
Singing the Lord's Song
God has a Corporate Plan. And He has an Individual Plan for each of His Children, on a day by day level
(step by step.)
Moses has an, Individual Lord, song, that we will sing with him and God will sing along. REALLY!
WHEN THREE young Wothies sang in the fire, God came down to Sing with them. Nebukadnesar saw The Son of God and responded: Teach me to Sing The Lord's song (Nebukadnesar adaptation) in this (Strange) sick, kingdom!
And it was done.He forgot God, His song. And in a span of seven years, he learned to sing it again. GOD is loving and Patient with us and with Pagan Kings. God had mercy for Naaman, serving a strange king in a strange government.
Please invite all you meet to discuss with us, and sing The Lord's song everyday, even when you sing alone in the big throng, and as you sleep at night.
God is merciful, patient, loving, and forgives in Grace .
Peace be on Israel!