Devotional Reading: Psalm 132 – 138

Praise & Worship: Calling Father

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Memory Verses:

11 The LORD hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne. 12 If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore. 13 If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore. Psalm 132:11-13 | Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Psalm 133:1 | Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD.  Psalm 134:2 | O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 136:1

About five years ago I wrote a song called, “Calling Father.” Thinking only as a psalmist, I could look at those lyrics today and think, that song is a mess. There are so many things wrong with it from a technical standpoint. But I recall how that song was made (and this is the case for every song I have ever published online) – on a borrowed computer; and sometimes with broken speakers;  and sometimes recorded in a single take without so much as a way to play it back since the speakers did not work (but His joy won’t let me stop singing, even if it is A Capella voice mail – Yes Lord, I’ll do that).

If we now think of making excuses for why we can’t do what we are called to do, we should remember that God gave us the gifts of His Spirit, knowing full well what challenges we would face in using them for His purpose.

I have to think, “God knew that I would have PTSD before the age of seven. I did not know that. God knew I would be jobless before I was jobless. He knew I would be homeless before I was homeless. He knew I would be starving, before I was starving. And He knew that I would be right here, right now, doing exactly what I am doing. Since He knew all of that – and I did not; He must know something else that I don’t know.

Logically, it does not make sense that some of my songs are as popular as they are – since the sound quality is sometimes not good enough to even hear what is being sung. But I am reminded always that God inhabits the praises of His people. I am what some would call, “a Jill of all trades.” But I do not say a master of none – because the Lord has taught me well. He has preserved for Himself the credit of that education.

I have to wonder if He is trying to preserve a pure humility sometimes lost when rags become riches. It is a true point for reflection. There have been countless times when I had “all of my ducks in a row;” then He asked for chickens, not ducks. There I stood like Gideon. And the Lord said, not that one. Not that one. Not that one. When we have much over which to steward, we can easily think, I am a force to be reckoned with. And (though contrary to some beliefs) the purpose of God is not to make you feel powerless; but we do ourselves a great disservice in failing to acknowledge His foundation in our success – because then we enroll in the refresher course that all haughty must take. God will get our attention. And the longer we take to wise up, the lower we will be brought for remembrance.

But I understand in retrospect that I have tried to do so many things; and all He wanted was my praise. This is why He anointed the voice. What an honor to think that God wants to hear us. He wants to be our companion. He wants to grow old with us.

As parents, one of the best things we can do for our children, is to help them to understand the friendship of the Lord. It’s more than reciting verses in the sanctuary. People sometimes look for love in all the wrong places, because they are trying to fill the void that only God can fill.

That is why we sing, Lord, “Take me back to the place where I first received you.” I do not want to relive the struggle. I want to remember the passion that I felt for His glory – that everything I do is for His glory; that everything I say is for His glory; that everywhere I go, I live for Him: to God be the glory. That is the place where I first heard His voice. I was just a teenager. Sometimes, we have to be reminded of that first love of Jesus, when we felt everything was new.

When God looks at our labor of love toward Him (even a song that needs help 🙂) He knows whether our clay is marred. He knows how many times we fallen from His appointed place for us (if we have); or have allowed the dust to settle on our lack of faith. He knows whether we have given Him the left overs, or the first fruits of our gift. We realize then that God knows our very heart; and a praise rich in sincerity, however we may be weak, is His favorite song of all.

We know that we have flaws. But, we must try to see ourselves as God sees us. This is the way to fulfill His purpose for our lives. His purpose is not for us to be carbon copies of anyone, even people we admire. But we are to be like Him. And if we only size up our failures, we will never think ourselves able to perform what mountainous tasks He may inspire. But we must learn that if He requires it, He is also able to perform it – and we can do all these things of His requisition through Him. When we look through His lens to our being, we see that He can change our vehicle. Where we could not go, we can go with Him. What we could not do, we can do with Him. God appreciates our willingness to give to Him. He knows we are not perfect. He wants to see our effort.

Did some people laugh at my songs in a mocking way. Sure they did. Maybe some people still do. Does God mock my music? I don’t think so. You see, the angels in heaven rejoice over a sinner who comes to God. And this is where the songs come from – from the joy of knowing Him; from the understanding that I was saved by grace. Saying yes to salvation in Jesus is the best decision I ever made.

If you could play the movie, This is your life starring YOU, you would hopefully see how much you have grown in your pursuit of Christ. If you are like me, some things will make you laugh; and some will make you cry. But the joy of knowing the Lord is seeing Him shine through everything.

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13