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.
With reverence, we approach the Cross of Jesus Christ. His death there fulfilled the predictions of Psalm 22, a prophecy made hundreds of years before the cruel invention of crucifixion (note especially verse 1 and verses 14-18). We also should not forget Deuteronomy 21:22-23a: “If a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: his body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God).” Jesus, of course, was sinless, but He placed Himself under this curse as He took upon Himself our sins, as clarified in Galatians 3:13: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, ‘Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.’ “ A familiar and favorite hymn that speaks of these things is “The Old Rugged Cross.” I like the simple version by A Cappella Hymns. The rendition by Maranatha! Music includes the traditional sound of an organ.