Do We Have A Song To Sing?
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesAs a history buff, I recently read about an incident that occurred during World War II, involving students and teachers of a school for missionary children in China who were imprisoned by occupying Japanese military forces. As they traveled toward their place of confinement, someone began singing the words of a familiar song.
Soon all the prisoners joined in: “God is still on the throne, and He will remember His own; though trials may press us and burdens distress us, He never will leave us alone.” It remained their theme song for nearly 3 years until they were released at the end of that terrible conflict.
Their experience reminds me of what David said regarding the Lord’s deliverance in Psalm 32:7, “You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.”
When our circumstances seem overwhelming, do we have a song of deliverance that we can sing? It’s not unusual to have a favorite hymn that speaks of God’s faithful love and presence. At unexpected moments, the words and music come back to us as a reminder that Almighty God is still in charge (Daniel 4:17; Daniel 4:25; Daniel 4:32; Daniel 5:21), and that He will never forsake us (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5; cf. Genesis 28:15; Deuteronomy 31:6-8; Joshua 1:5).
If there’s ever an experience in our life that has come like “a flood of great waters” (Psalm 32:6), let’s sing of the Lord’s faithfulness and allow Him to surround us with songs of deliverance.
I care not today what the morrow may bring,
If shadow or sunshine or rain,
The Lord I know ruleth o’er everything,
And all of my worry is vain.
I know that He safely will carry me thru,
No matter what evils betide,
Why should I then care tho’ the tempests may blow,
If Jesus walks close to my side.
Living by faith, In Jesus above,
Trusting, confiding in His great love;
From all harm safe in His sheltering arm,
I’m living by faith and feel no alarm. —J. Wells