Melodic Mondays
Those of you who know me know that I love music even though I am not musical myself. I listen to good music as often as I can. It is beneficial to the brain, valuable to the vocabulary, and strengthening to the soul. Isaiah 12:2-3 is a lovely passage that includes this soaring statement of surety: “The Lord JEHOVA [YAHWEH] is my strength and my song.” This could be translated, “God is my mountaintop and my music.” Yes, He is! Each Monday, I want to study this subject and suggest a song to listen to. Anyone reading this devotional has easy access to any song. (I am an exception because I do not go on a computer or other information device.) If you do not like my suggestion (and we all have different tastes), you can think of or search for one that speaks to you. Then, it can become a source of encouragement throughout the week.
When this pandemic has passed, I encourage all of us to get back to our local churches as soon as possible. We need to worship God together, and there are nefarious forces that would exult in the decline of Christianity. The Bible makes it clear that we are called to be together. Hebrews 10:23-25 is just one example of many. We must encourage each other “and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” One song that speaks of our commitment to each other is “Church, I’m Fully Saved Today.” The raspy voice of Blind Willie Johnson may take some getting used to (I like gravel and grit in a singing voice), but his exquisite guitar work and the sweet sound of his singing partner Willie Harris add to the lyrics and theme of this traditional Gospel song. The back story of Johnson is compelling, for he was blinded intentionally by his stepmother for something his father did. Still, he spent his life singing Gospel songs. Whenever I listen to this call-and-response song, I wish that I could have worshiped with this couple, for they make one guitar and two voices sound like an entire congregation. Well, one day, we will worship with them.