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.
We are grateful for those who have faithfully defended our nation and those who are currently serving. Christians are sometimes uncomfortable with the idea of warfare, but the Bible makes it clear that a war to defend freedom or to overthrow oppression is a just war. I have preached a sermon on this subject before and will not repeat it here. For our purposes today, we certainly see that the Civil War to end slavery was a just war. One hymn that came out of that conflict is “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory,” also known as “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” It is based in part on Luke 21:27: “And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” I like the simple version by the Abyssinian Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir.