Some songs keep singing long after the baton is back in its sleeve.
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| Jared Westbrook |
In one, my heart strains after more perfect service, and my lips silent form the morning’s plea.
In the other, the lyrics to my all-time favorite choral anthem run over and over; warm, fill.
I roll out of bed.
My thoughts merge on the 8th Psalm. I play the words of the incredulous poet over in my head.
Wait.
What’s the word?
Neato (the iPad) comes into service. I memorized the 8th Psalm as a boy, but perhaps it was a different version.
Hey, were did my praise word go?
I switch to Strongs.
The word is Strength. The word is also Praise.
Same word.
Same thing?
I squint at the screen, thinking, not seeing. My finger dances at the edge of discovery.
Strength and song go together.
Wait… Give Him strength? Make that praise.
I lean back in the futon, satisfied.
Praise is strength. Song is strength.
It “stills the enemy and the avenger.” (Ps. 8)
That’s perfect service.
Both trains of thought are satisfied.
To praise Him perfectly is to serve Him perfectly.
January 18, 2012 at 7:21 pm
ummm…wow! That's something I'll be munching on all day. Thanks, I needed that right now.
January 18, 2012 at 9:39 pm
Wow. Amen, amen!
January 19, 2012 at 12:53 am
Yes, praise to God presses back evil and welcomes God and His angels into our home. We are finding that it is strength to the weak. Love this thought! Praise God that He provides strengh is such a beautiful way. Let's exercise our voices.
January 19, 2012 at 1:01 am
Amen! Thank you for sharing, Sean.
January 19, 2012 at 1:18 am
"Prais is strength" indeed…
January 19, 2012 at 2:11 am
God's Word…There are so many treasures, just waiting to be noticed…!
What a thought. That our praise equals service–"perfect service". That it "stills the enemy and avenger". That He ordained it all, so beautifully…
Thank you so much for sharing this Sean…
January 19, 2012 at 2:42 am
A baton!! Oh my;) You should have had it back when I took lessons from you lol!:) I might have been a better student! Really though you look even more professional with it:)
January 19, 2012 at 6:38 pm
My fellow assistant dean and I just finished reading this and stared at each other for 3 seconds before blurting in unison, "That's for us today!!"
Wow…
Thanks for sharing, brother.
When the enemy comes in like a flood, the Lord gives strength to His people, and the song to sing in the darkness.
Amen. All is well.. 😉
January 19, 2012 at 8:30 pm
Isn't God good!? He gives us [He is!] more than plenty to sing about.
January 19, 2012 at 9:11 pm
WOW!!! That is soooo awesome… Thanks for sharing! 😀
January 19, 2012 at 9:12 pm
WOW!!! That is soooo awesome… Thanks for sharing! 😀
January 20, 2012 at 2:03 pm
Wonderful….thanks so much! P.S. I get to sing that anthem again with my choir for church tomorrow! 😀
January 20, 2012 at 2:30 pm
Oh wow! Oh my! This has got me all excited. (I'm literally giggling.) I've never heard that verse with strength in it! Are you saying that when we praise we release His strength? Give Him opportunity to show His strength? Sean, you have got to read the chapter "Singing Jehoshaphat" in God in Pain!! You just must!
Oh how I love gems!
January 20, 2012 at 4:11 pm
My bookmark is at page 46. "Singing Jehoshaphat" starts on page 50. 🙂
January 22, 2012 at 6:31 pm
Glad to hear you're getting to read it finally. 🙂
January 23, 2012 at 12:33 am
Just found another awesome verse to go along with this concept! Psalms 138:3: "In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength [praise] in my soul." Blessed thought…
January 23, 2012 at 12:51 am
Love this thought! Thanks for sharing!