Years ago, when I attended the Alliance Church in the city, I remember my spirit melting whenever Dennis would sing. I remember thinking that his wife, Faith, was pretty lucky. I could imagine Dennis singing her to sleep at night. And so, I prayed, that the Lord would bless me with a husband who would sing over me.
Then I met My Sweetheart. No woman, in her right mind, would want My Sweetheart to sing her to sleep. It just wouldn't happen.
The Lord blessed me, not with a husband who sings me to sleep, but a husband who is perfect for me in every way that I need him to be.
My Sweetheart is faithful.
My Sweetheart is hard working.
My Sweetheart is a good provider.
My Sweetheart is honest.
My Sweetheart is compassionate.
My Sweetheart is a good father.
My Sweetheart is a wonderful friend.
My Sweetheart is not, however, a good singer.
Yesterday was a particularly difficult day for me. I was down. I was worried a little bit. I'm trying to renew my mind because that's an important thing to do, according to Scripture. "do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you may prove what the will of God is- that which is good and acceptable and perfect..." (from Romans 12)
I'm telling myself that worry is not good. It serves no purpose. I'm trying to shoo it from the hidden crevices in my mind. But it's hiding there. And when I think I'm doing good- poof- worry rears its ugly and annoying head. And it could very well keep on doing that until I get the results back regarding that biopsy. My mind is not transforming as quickly as I'd like it to. But, I realize, transformation is usually not instantaneous. Maybe I should delete the word "usually" from that sentence.
I needed someone to sing over me yesterday. I sang. I worshipped. I prayed. I cried a little. But I really wanted to be sung over.
This morning I came upon a treasure in the Bible, in an obscure book that I had not paid too much attention to. Zephaniah. A prophet. A short 3 chapter treasure nestled between Habbakuk and Haggai.
In the many, many verses in the Bible regarding singing, especially in the Psalms, the singing is a personal or corporate response to God's love. But, in this book of Zephaniah, is a verse that I will be memorizing. It speaks of God's abiding love for me. And it tells me that HE is singing over me. Me! My Creator is singing over me!
The Lord your God is in your midst.
(He is with me- Emmanuel)
The Mighty One will save
(He is my Saviour)
He will rejoice over you with gladness.
(What an affirmation)
He will quiet you with His love.
(Abiding peace)
He will rejoice over you with singing.
(I am rejoiced over. And sung over.)
Zephaniah 3:17
What a difference a day, and a verse, can make. I'm not worried today. I know that My God is rejoicing over me with gladness, quieting me with love, and rejoicing over me with singing. No one on earth can top that.
Sometimes, when you least expect it, a message literally leaps out at you and hits you! Wham! I love those. They don't happen often, so they are memorable! Thinking of you...hugs!
ReplyDeleteYour cousin, Bev.
beautifully written Heather and a good reminder. When worry tries to overtake me I will remember this. Also my dear friend take comfort that others are lifting you and your family up in prayer. So many songs are being sung over your family from the Lord and from those that send there prayers up like a song.
ReplyDeleteLove you!
Praying for you my dear friend...waiting is hard especially in uncertainty. Fear and doubt want to be constant companions but you are doing the most perfect thing by immersing yourself in scripture. Music and song is something we share, yes...and God is the Giver of such beauty. These verses you discovered in Zephaniah are favourites of mine too. Here's another one that I keep close to me always and continue to ponder its deeper meaning to me from time to time. You'll find it in Psalm 118 and Exodus too. May it resonate deep in your soul and fill you with hope. I know you have many songs in your heart...ones God has given you to write and share with others and some that find special meaning to you alone. May the Lord be your ultimate song as you continue to rest in Him for your future and bless those in your journey.
ReplyDelete"The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." Psalm 118:14