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.
Valentine’s Day is a man-made holiday, but it does celebrate love, which originates in God Himself (I John 4:19). I John 4:7a says, “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God.” Genuine love is powerful; it is emotionally moving and practically demonstrated (I John 4:9-10). A song that presents such godly love is “Hicks’ Farewell” by Doc Watson. This old song was written by a Baptist pastor from South Carolina who was doing missionary work in Tennessee. There, he contracted a serious fever and was close to death. He composed this song as a love letter to his wife and sent it to her. By God’s grace, the Reverend Hicks recovered, and he was reunited with his wife. This live version is simple focusing on the heartfelt words.