Weekend Words

From Amish Peace - Tricia Goyer...

My Song and My Strength

Rejoice in the Lord always (delight, gladden yourself in Him); again I say, Rejoice! - Philippians 4:4

One of my favourite things about spring is the song of the birds.  Joy fills my heart when I hear the music of a birdsong.  The winter is past.  A new season has come!  Gratefulness to God is heard on every chirp and warble, and hearing that makes my heart rejoice too.

There is nothing more beautiful than a smile reflected from a thankful heart.  Many an Amish mother will set about her tasks singing hymns of praise, and when one of her children whines or complains, she will simply sing louder!

Rejoicing in the Lord isn't something you need to wait to do at a church service.  You can rejoice any moment of your day, in the middle of any task.  Rejoicing doesn't need to happen when you "feel like it."  I have many, many days when I'd rather complain.  But when I sing praises to God, my heart and my attitude begin to change.  The circumstances and situations that had been troubling me a moment before are still there, but something is different.  When I rejoice, my heart acknowledges the goodness of God - and all the good in my life - and my attitude changes: "God has come to save me.  I will trust in Him and not be afraid.  The Lord God is my strength and my song; He has given me victory" (Isaiah 12:2)

Sometimes God shows you His strength or His power, as in the coming of spring, and through that you find a song.  But sometimes, when you make Him your song, you discover strength you didn't have before.

The most beautiful songs are those that rise above the whining around us - or the whining in our own hearts.  What song of rejoicing can you sing today?

Dear Heavenly Father, I rejoice in you.  I will sing a song of praise, no matter what the circumstances.  I thank you for the strength that returns to my gladdened heart.