Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance. Psalm 89:15
As a crow flies, we live about 1 mile from a high school. On Friday nights we can hear the band playing and the roar of the football fans as the plays develop. Just the sound of the band brings back the remembrance of football games I attended decades ago. I can see the mascots trying to energize the fans to cheer for the team, I remember the colors of the uniforms, jackets and banners, and I remember watching the joy and sadness of the players depending on the outcome of the games.
Joyful sounds trigger the memories. The psalmist specifically recognizes the sound of the worship festivals coming from the temple. Some of the horns rallied people for warfare, some of the trumpets highlighted the start of the feast, and some were the favorite worship songs of victory.
Those who have experienced the sounds of worship in connection with journeying through life are blessed. “Just As I Am” at the end of a service evokes brokenness and repentance preceding God’s forgiveness. “Through It All” by Andrea Crouch stirs up the reminder of enduring trust in God. “My Jesus I love thee” focuses on the intimacy I share with Him.
What if you are new to the faith in Jesus? What if you did not grow up in a church background and never heard the songs of faith in Jesus? Is there still a blessing available if you missed out in the past? Yes!
Songs, singing and worship connect our hearts with God. Songs that flow from the Bible, songs that exalt the character of God, and songs that reveal the yearning of the heart can become part of your “go to” songs. It only takes a few prominent notes to arouse your heart and mind to enter into the emotions of the experience of the band calling for a “roll tide”, “go gators”, or “go raiders” (highschool team). Likewise worship songs can quickly recenter your heart back to the love of God.
On this Monday Mantra, may you be blessed by the stirring up of the songs of faith which have accompanied your spiritual journey. You may even want to sing a few songs today and give thanks for God’s goodness throughout your life. There is a favor of God for those who incorporate worship into the journey of their lives.
Blessings Love y’all