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 JEHOVAH [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.
Probably all of us have heard the chorus of “Jesus Loves the Little Children.” However, most of us likely are unfamiliar with its three verses. The music, rather surprisingly, comes from a popular Civil War ballad, written by George Root to increase morale in the North. Later, new words were written by Clare Woolsten and Joseph Barmore to this familiar tune. Jesus certainly does love the little ones: “Suffer [permit] little children, and forbid them not to come unto Me: for of such is the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:14). He also presented children as an illustration of saving faith (Matthew 18:1-6). Let us listen to a version of this 1800’s hymn by Scripture for Kids.