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.
Even though Christmas is now past, there are just too many outstanding Christmas songs to quickly put them away until next year. Matthew 2:1-12 records the coming of the wisemen, which occurred some time after Jesus’ birth. Tradition calls them kings, but they probably were scholars. Also, we sing about three, but three gifts does not necessarily equal three givers. Still, the familiar carol “We Three Kings” reverently portrays this impressive visitation. The version by Sufjan Stevens is interesting; after all, it includes a banjo, one of my favorite instruments. More importantly, this rendition was a favorite of a friend who is now with Jesus in heaven.