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Psalm 40:1,3a – I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. (NIV)
As all my friends know, I love music and play the piano and organ. I invite you to listen as a special solo is going through my head. Yes, I never sing a solo, but listen: "O rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him." It's from Mendelssohn's oratorio, "Elijah". But, O Lord, I am not very patient, and rarely wait even for myself to finish a job carefully and well before setting it aside to try something else. Rarely do I pray about it first. I am on the go – go – go — just like most of society these days. Rarely do I trust my thoughts and actions to any preliminary action and guidance from the Lord. My mind is not still. God rarely seems to give me my heart's desire, as Mendelssohn suggests. I am wondering now whether this is why my blood pressure is always high. I think the Lord is trying to tell me something.
As today verses remind us, "I waited patiently for the Lord. He put a new song in my mouth." So that is where the music comes from — the Lord puts it in my mouth. But when I am too tired to sing, too worked up over what I need to do next, I am not waiting patiently for the Lord. I have experienced the calmness that comes when I do wait for the Lord to go ahead of me, but how can I wait patiently when there is a lot on my mind and a lot to do?
Can we learn how to let the Lord go ahead of us through all our ups and downs? That is what maturing in the Christian faith is all about. I have been able to feel fulfilled recently as God's Word flowed through my fingers while I typed my latest book with ease. Yes, I live in peace now, and my mind is at rest, knowing that the Lord has been using me. With God's blessing, I can feel the difference.
Resting in the Lord, praying for His love, changes the way we feel in everything we go through, not just on Sundays, but at work and at play with our children, grandchildren, and friends. We rest – rest – rest in the Lord. It is wonderful to be so loved and provided for by our Lord as we go through each day. We wait patiently for the Lord, and He puts a new song in our hearts! Sadly, it is learning how to wait on Him that is difficult, but as we wait, He does put a new song in our mouths, and our hearts are also singing.
Prayer: Lord, as we sing Your praises, we thank You for loving us so much that You put a constant song in our hearts. Together with family and friends, we rest in the Lord all day long. Teach us, O Lord, how to diligently rest and leave all our concerns for You to deal with. Your love reaches out with a helping hand and a faithful arm as others gather round, and in faith and trust, join in the song of praise. Amen.
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Enjoyed your writing.
Always good advice Iris.
Thank you. Just what I needed to hear today!
Iris, praising God for how He continues to use you. Blessings.
Dear Iris; Words well spoken Iris in todays devotion. We pray for you and your health concern and know the Lord our God is there.
Music is a therapy and a way to sing praises to our Lord.
Iris,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience.
I needed to hear that today as I am going through a similar situation.
The Lord be with you.
Dear Iris,
How nice to hear from you. Your message rings true for most of us. Waiting and allowing our dear Lord to lead us makes such a difference as we continue on our journey with Him. Thanks for writing.
Dear iris,
I enjoyed the way your devotional built up to its climax.
Keep writing,
How nice to meet you again on the Daily and read your meditation. I have read your book over and over and have felt comfort while doing so and applying your thoughts and cares to my own life. Thank you so much for all your writings and clearly explained meditations. God Bless you and give you the peace and comfort that you have helped me and others to know.
Iris,
Thank you. I really needed to hear what you had to say. I have been battling with this very thing and having a difficult time as I struggle to achieve all I think needs doing on any specific day. I have been trying to rest in the Lord, but that is the thing ..trying.. instead of claiming the rest He gives to me when I seek His guidance.
Thank you again for this timely devotional and God bless.
Dear Iris,
Way back when I still had a strong voice I sang in a large choir. I performed in many oratorios, including Elijah. It is my favourite piece of all. I had the opportunity of singing O Rest In The Lord as a solo twice and the words also became special to me. I find myself singing (to myself) the words and I don’t know if God puts them in my head for a reason or why they pop up, but I pay attention and REST for a while. Blessings.
Thank you, Iris, for your great devotional today. And how I relate. I was born with music in me and will go to heaven singing my heart out. I can’t imagine life without music. My preacher Daddy had me up there singing solos when I was about 9 years old and I loved singing for the Lord and still do. Now I am 90, still have my strong alto voice and sing in the ladies chorale and the mixed chorus. I’ve not been asked yet to sit and listen. My husband and I sang together the first time we met did that for over 60 years.
As to something you were talking about, the patience. Why is it that we go dead ahead into what may become real problems, and finally stop and ask ourselves why in the world we didn’t talk to the Lord first? You sure reminded me of that and I thank you for that. God bless you in your music ministry, writing and all that you do for Him and to bless others.
(California)