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.
The Bible speaks often of the availability of new life. For example, Ezekiel 1:31 pleads, “Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?” Through faith in Jesus Christ, God the Son, we have this “new heart” and “new spirit”: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature [creation]: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (II Corinthians 5:17). This newness never wanes, for Jesus proclaims, “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:7b). I enjoy songs of regret, repentance, and redemption; one such song that explores the possibility of new life is “If I Give My Soul” by Billy Joe Shaver. Some of you may prefer the understated acoustic version by Johnny Cash.