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…But I Don’t Know How to Play a Harp!
Over the years this has become a familiar passage of Scripture for me, and has been the inspiration for numerous songs I’ve enjoyed hearing and singing. Sing and shout joyfully, worship gladly, be thankful…it all sounds great and some days that’s exactly how I feel. Praise God! But there are also days when the joy doesn’t flow so naturally, when it’s slowed from a mighty river to a slow trickle or just a few drips from a leaky faucet. Some days it feels like a Monday all week, or I’m worried about my job security, or I’m not quite sure how we’re going to make ends meet financially this month, or the kids are acting crazy, or the car won’t start, or…life is just happening. Sing a joyful song…are you kidding me?
As I read this passage I’m also reminded today of Psalm 137, which is a sad song. During the period of Israel’s history when Jerusalem was destroyed and they were held captive in far away Babylon, they were asked to sing some of the joyful songs of Zion to satisfy the Babylonians’ taste for some exotic entertainment. Instead, they hung their harps in the trees and sat down by the river and wept. I’ve had those times too when I felt as if I couldn’t sing, couldn’t be happy.
Take a look at verse 3: “Know that the LORD is God.” I think that’s the key. The source of that river of joy isn’t my family or my job or my abilities, it is my relationship with my God. My circumstances don’t determine my joy, and even when my heart is heavy, there is reason to rejoice if I remember that God is God, that He is in control of what I don’t understand, and He is loving and faithful and cares for the sheep of His pasture. Instead of just going down my checklist of needs and desires, maybe today as I pray to Him, I’ll spend a little more time praising and being thankful. The list of what He’s already done and provided far exceeds the list of whatever it is I’d like to ask Him to do. That’s a reason to pick up your harp and sing.
“The list of what He’s already done and provided far exceeds the list of whatever it is I’d like to ask Him to do. That’s a reason to pick up your harp and sing” So true. God has provided. . I would even add not only does He provide but He walks with us through the good and bad days.He has shown up. The joy during the hard times comes from remembering what has happened in the past. What a great way to start my day.
Sunday after we laid it all down at the foot of the cross and really dug deep,the feeling of burden lifted off my shoulders was awesome. After that look at the cross and the very thought he would do that for us, for little ole me. Then came Monday and I put my harp away about Wednesday and by today, well… So thank you Roger, it is encouraging to be so honest with each other and renew our thoughts. Thanks, I’ll get my harp back out and remember everyday is fresh and new in Christ.