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.
John 12:32-33 says, “’And I, if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto Me.’ This He said, signifying what death He should die.” Jesus said in John 3:14-15, “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness [see Numbers 21:5-9], even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Because Jesus was “lifted up” on the Cross, each believer in Him receives the promise that God “hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:6). The traditional Gospel song “If I Be Lifted Up” reflects on these truths. Let us listen to a version by Emmylou Harris (backed by Vince Gill and other fine musicians).