Sing & Share

Speak what is good and true, continually praise as you do, and sing of what has been done for you.  

“David’s army marched out of the city to fight Israel, and the battle took place in the forest of Ephraim. Now Absalom happened to meet David’s men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s hair got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair, Joab said, “I’m not going to wait…So he took three javelins in his hand and plunged them into Absalom’s heart while Absalom was still alive in the oak tree. Ahimaaz son of Zadok again said to Joab, “Come what may, please let me run…Joab said, “Run!” Then Ahimaaz ran…He’s a good man,” the king said. “He comes with good news.” My Lord the king, hear the good news! The Lord has vindicated you today by delivering you from the hand of all who rose up against you…As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you”

2 Samuel 18:6-33

Absalom’s uprising comes to an end when he is caught in a tree by his own vanity, his hair. Tradition was that a person would run as fast as they could to give the good news who had not gone into the battle. This practice is at the very heart of sharing the gospel. There is an urgent message to be shared of the victory that has been won. Have you ever considered how you share the good news of Jesus? Do you have a sense of urgency? 

David wished that he could have died in the place of his son. There is an interesting connection to the text in Matthew today where the son of God dies in our place that we might live. The good news in David’s story is he has victory yet he is saddened that it came with such a great cost. Have you considered the cost that Christ paid for you? How does that make you express gratitude to Him? What does it say about your value to Him? 

“Praise the Lord. Praise the name of the Lord; praise him, you servants of the Lord, Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing praise to his name, for that is pleasant. For the Lord will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants. The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by human hands. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see. They have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths. Praise be to the Lord from Zion, to him who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the Lord.” Psalms 135:1, 3, 14-17, 21 

Social scientists have studied singing. Studies consistently show that singing and praise reduce stress hormones, improve mood, strengthen the immune system, and increase feelings of connection and belonging. Modern science is now confirming many of the physical, emotional, and relational benefits that accompany a life of praise, but this is something as old as time for those who practice praise. The bible says we were made to praise. 

How much time will you spend singing today? Do you want to please God? Then praise Him. David said it is good to praise.  It is good for us and good for others. One of the most holy things you can do is raise a hallelujah. Do you want to be happier? Praise. Do you want to be healthier? Sing of the goodness of God. 

David also told us what not to do. He said don’t praise things that are dead. Ironically, in our world, we can spend a lot of time focusing on or praising people’s possessions, but David said that does not please the Lord. He asked why we would praise the things that are dead. Are you pursuing a life of praise or praising possessions? How do your words reflect your heart?

“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar. “Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. Do not slander a servant to their master, or they will curse you…those who are pure in their own eyes…those whose teeth are swords…If you play the fool and exalt yourself, or if you plan evil, clap your hand over your mouth!”  Proverbs 30:3-32

If every word from God is flawless, then perhaps we should spend more time listening to Him. Have you learned to hear the voice of the Shepherd? What practices help quiet the noise and discern the voice of the Divine? Listening prayer is an incredible practice to help you purify your heart and walk the right path. How much time will you spend listening to God today?

Wisdom tells us that the words have power. We are warned to not be prideful, a person who slanders others, nor one uses our words as a weapon.  Every single person belongs to God, so the Bible tells us slander should not exist in our world. Wisdom tells us it is better to be quiet and clap our hands over our mouths then to let our tongues take over. How are you doing with this? Do you have control over your words? You cannot praise God and practice slander at the same time. 

“Come near, you nations, and listen; pay attention, you peoples! Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, the world, and all that comes out of it! For it is his mouth that has given the order, and his Spirit will gather them together.” Isaiah 34:1-16

God’s plan is reconciliation, redemption, and restoration. When He speaks it is to accomplish His purposes and gather people back to His glory. It is good to do what God wants and God wants all people to repent. God is not passive. He actively calls out to us to turn back to Him.

What is the first step?  Listening to God’s voice, paying attention to his words, and allowing the Spirit to lead us to His love. Are you letting the Holy Spirit lead you? It is hard to hear the spirit if you have no margin in your life.  How could you clear your calendar to more clearly hear the good news God has for you? 

“While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak…Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels?…the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? Jesus remained silent. The high priest said to him, “I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of God.” “You have said so,” Jesus replied.”

Matthew 26:26-64

This may be a familiar passage, but spend time listening to the words of Jesus. Consider what He said and why He said it. If we are to be followers of Jesus, then we should do as He did and does. Jesus lived sacrificially. He broke his body and poured out his blood. The good news is He has prepared the way. He paid the price. He is God with us and within us. 

What words did Jesus say every day? He said Father your will be done. Is that your mantra? Does making God happy make your day? Almost every conflict that we see in the world is rooted in people who live by the opposite mindset. It is when we want our will to be done that we get offended, upset, and are insecure. Practice saying Father your will be done today. Deny yourself and you will see God do amazing things in and through you. 

Jesus shows us how to respond to offensive comments and aggressive attacks. He stayed silent when others seethed and did not engage in the fight. Even in the garden when he was arrested, He chose not to call on legions of angels that could have free him. Just because you can fight back does not mean you should.  Patience and self restraint go along way towards creating peace in the world. Are you able to bite your tongue or keep silent when others are offensive? 

Jesus is worthy of our praise. David had it right when he said praise the Lord for he is good. We are the people who have good news to share.  Will we be like the runners in Samuel and go with urgency? Will we do everything we can to share so that others could receive the bread and the cup of the new covenant that Christ ushered in? Will you invite others to the table? 

Our minds like to be pre-occupied with the worry and words of the world around us. Let us not give in to fleshly thinking. The flesh is weak. The Spirit is willing and will lead you. Today is a day to clear your min and consider what Christ has done. It is a day to join the choir of angels who sing holy, holy, holy is the Lord almighty. It is a day to praise the Prince of Peace who remained silent and suffered for us. It is a day to follow His example and let your hallelujah be heard by declaring God your will be done then doing what He tells you to do.