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.
As some of you know, I am no fan of snow. It complicates life and, for many, presents difficulties and even dangers. “Oh, but it is so pretty,” some say – to which I respond, “So is my wife, but I don’t want to spend hours shoveling her around the church parking lot either.” However, there is one good use of snow: it is used as a symbol of the eternal forgiveness available through faith in Jesus Christ. Isaiah 1:18b says, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow.” Only the Savior could apply His red blood to our scarlet sins to produce glistering white cleaning. The hymn “There Is Power in the Blood” uses this imagery to celebrate the fullness of God’s forgiveness. We will listen to a vigorous version by Guy Penrod.