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.
I Corinthians 15:14 is blunt: “If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.” Resurrection is essential to the Christian faith: “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept” (I Corinthians 15:20). We have ample, overwhelming reasons to believe in the Resurrection. One very old song that captures this certainty is “Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain.” It was written in the 700’s by John of Damascus, a highly respected leader in the Eastern Orthodox Church. It creatively blends Old Testament imagery with New Testament fulfillment. We will listen to a version posted by Christianna Hellwig that includes several singers.