Create a New Song... and Sing It!

O sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Psalm 96:1 (AMP)

Sing to the Lord a new song [celebrating victory]; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Psalm 96:1 (EXB)

A new song. Do I have a new song to sing? What was I singing? 

A new song. Our old songs were those of pride, of gluttony, of luxury, in hope of gain, prosperity, or harm to others; our "new song" is of praise, reverence, and obedience, and love to God, in newness of life, in the Spirit that quickeneth, no longer in the letter that killeth, but keepeth that new commandment, that we love one another, not with the narrow patriotism and fellow feeling of a small tribe, or a mere national church, but with a citizenship which embraces all the whole earth. Neale and Littledale

I like a variety of music. And I usually have music on most of the time. As I read Psalm 96:1, I had to think about the songs I’ve been singing. Have they been songs of praise to God? Or are they simply filled with “me, myself, and I”? Am I singing songs of thanksgiving? Or songs of complaints?  Am I singing songs of joy? Or of misery? 

Music as an effect on our attitudes, emotions, and mind-set. Some songs make us smile, others make us cry. Since songs have such an affect on us, then I need to make a determined effort to be singing songs of praise to God. 

To create a positive day, I need to create a new song of praise and thankfulness to God, and then be sure to sing it. 

Status of My Relationship

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 29. Here is what I learned.

The Lord’s voice ·makes the lightning flash [strikes with flashes of lightning]. Psalm 29:7 (EXB)

The psalmist here sets forth God's dominion in the kingdom of nature. In the thunder, and lightning, and storm, we may see and hear his glory. Let our hearts be thereby filled with great, and high, and honourable thoughts of God, in the holy adoring of whom, the power of godliness so much consists. O Lord our God, thou art very great! The power of the lightning equals the terror of the thunder. The fear caused by these effects of the Divine power, should remind us of the mighty power of God, of man's weakness, and of the defenceless and desperate condition of the wicked in the day of judgment.  Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

Respect. Honor. Fear. Awe. Terror. The power of God can evoke many emotions. 

If my soul is right with God, then the power of God produces honor, respect, awe, and yes, even comfort. Knowing that God is all-powerful, that means nothing is out of His control. 

If, however, I have sin in my heart, the power of God produces fear and terror. A Holy, all-powerful God, becomes Judge. Sin is an abomination to God. I’m very grateful that God provided a way of forgiveness and I have restored fellowship with God. 

The power of God is real. The status of my relationship with God determines if His display of power creates awe, respect and honor, or fear and terror. 

To create a positive day, I need to make sure the status of my relationship with God is good standing, according to His standard. 

Change of Perspective

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 13. Here is what I learned.

Ever have one of the days, months, weeks, when life becomes overwhelming? When you wonder, “if God loves me, why does He let this ‘bad’ stuff happen to me?” Feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders and you are caring it alone? 

This is how David felt in Psalm 13:1-4 (EXB).

1 How long will you forget me, Lord? Forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

2 How long must I worry [or bear pain; hold counsels] and feel sad [hold sorrow] in my heart all day? How long will my enemy ·win [rise up] over me?

3 Lord, look at me. Answer me, my God; tell me [light up my eyes], or I will die [sleep the sleep of death].

4 Otherwise my enemy will say, “I have won [finished him off]!” Those against me [My foes] will rejoice that I’ve been defeated [shaken; moved].

To be honest, I’ve have days like this. Chronic pain and headaches can become overwhelming, especially when it becomes my focus. And there are times the pain is screaming so loud, that I can’t focus on anything else. 

Forgotten. Alone. Fearful. Hurting. Unheard. All are emotions that are very real and can rob us of hope. 

Thankfully, Psalm 13 doesn’t end with despair and hopelessness. David gives us the “remedy” for those overwhelming times in our lives.

5 I trust [have confidence] in your love [loyalty; covenant love]. My heart is happy [rejoices] because ·you saved me [of your victory/salvation].

6 I sing to the Lord because he has taken care of [been good to] me.

Psalm 13:5, 6 (EXB)

David was overwhelmed with hopelessness, so He turned His attention to the source of hope—God. David turned his attention and thoughts to the one “constant” in his life—God. David changed his attention from his situation and feelings to the facts about God Almighty. 

Facts:

1. God’s love is unconditional.
2. God keeps His promises.
3. God is salvation.  
4. God has proven Himself in the past—has taken care and been good to me. If He’s done it before, He can do it again. 

On those days I feel overwhelmed by pain, life, emotions, I need to stop and re-focus on the facts of God. Changing my perspective begins with a change of focus from emotions to facts. But just any random facts; rather facts about God Almighty! 

To create a positive day, I must change my perspective from me to God. Then and only then, can I rise above my situation and enjoy a positive hope-filled day!