Right Side Up - Singing for Joy While in Turmoil
“I will declare Your (the Father’s) name to My brethren (believers),
In the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise.”
Hebrews 2:11-12
[This is the 5th message of this series]
Troubles of Pandemic Proportions
Whether we like it or not, the world is still in a pandemic.
Depending on where we are, many of us are still vulnerable to getting sick and infecting others. Many still do not know where they will find their next meal or how to pay their bills. People we know are getting sick and many are worried.
There are varying degrees of infection and different mandated protocols and restrictions. Most places are requiring quarantines, social distancing and facial coverings, others need proof of vaccination, others negative test results, some are with lockdowns and curfews.
These protocols will still go on for some time.
But like Jesus and His disciples did after they had their last supper together, believers should in the middle of uncertainty, do something that the world wouldn't expect them to do -- sing a song of joy and thanksgiving. Matthew 26:30
Tough Times Ahead
For sure, those were uncertain times. Jesus have already spoken to His disciples of what will soon happen, painting for them a gloomy forecast.
Jesus told them that He will leave them. He will be betrayed. He will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn Him and hand him over to the Gentiles. He will be mocked, flogged and then put to death.
Jesus also said that the chief priests will kick them all out of their church. And there will be people who will kill them in the name of their god, for following Christ.
These words surely would have made His disciples troubled, scared, confused and having all sorts of mixed emotions.
Pandemic of Uncertainty
Today, with this long pandemic and everything else happening all around us, all at the same time, we too are in times of uncertainty. Believers today are like walking in the disciples' shoes as together they were going up to the Mount of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane, one last time.
Sing Praise
But right before they did, right in the midst of their turmoil, what did they do?
They paused and gave thanks, they sang a hymn of praise. Mark 14:17-26
[Our bibles tell us that they sang “Hallel” psalms -- Psalms 113 to 118. What is odd is that these hymns are noted for their spirit of joy and thanksgiving]
Singing in the Midst of Trials
This is the same kind of thing that Paul and Silas did sometime later, after they were arrested, stripped, beaten and flogged, just as Jesus told them will happen. Acts 16:25
Tough Times Ahead
For sure, those were uncertain times. Jesus have already spoken to His disciples of what will soon happen, painting for them a gloomy forecast.
Jesus told them that He will leave them. He will be betrayed. He will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn Him and hand him over to the Gentiles. He will be mocked, flogged and then put to death.
Jesus also said that the chief priests will kick them all out of their church. And there will be people who will kill them in the name of their god, for following Christ.
These words surely would have made His disciples troubled, scared, confused and having all sorts of mixed emotions.
Pandemic of Uncertainty
Today, with this long pandemic and everything else happening all around us, all at the same time, we too are in times of uncertainty. Believers today are like walking in the disciples' shoes as together they were going up to the Mount of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane, one last time.
Sing Praise
But right before they did, right in the midst of their turmoil, what did they do?
They paused and gave thanks, they sang a hymn of praise. Mark 14:17-26
[Our bibles tell us that they sang “Hallel” psalms -- Psalms 113 to 118. What is odd is that these hymns are noted for their spirit of joy and thanksgiving]
Singing in the Midst of Trials
This is the same kind of thing that Paul and Silas did sometime later, after they were arrested, stripped, beaten and flogged, just as Jesus told them will happen. Acts 16:25
While these two were chained inside the inner cell of a prison, Paul and Silas sang hymns of praise at midnight.
Upside Down Way
In uncertain times, believers do the unexpected -- they sing praises to God.
They acknowledge and worship God for who He is, for what He has done and what He will do.
The God of Creation is the One True God. He knows what we are going through.
So we don't "tough it up" just because we have to. We do so, because our God goes before us, is behind us and is with us every step of the way. And for this reason, we sing His praises. Hallelujah.
"No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it."
-Paul writing to the 1st church in the City of Corinth
1 Corinthians 10:13
In uncertain times, believers do the unexpected -- they sing praises to God.
They acknowledge and worship God for who He is, for what He has done and what He will do.
The God of Creation is the One True God. He knows what we are going through.
So we don't "tough it up" just because we have to. We do so, because our God goes before us, is behind us and is with us every step of the way. And for this reason, we sing His praises. Hallelujah.
"No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it."
-Paul writing to the 1st church in the City of Corinth
1 Corinthians 10:13
Selected portions of the hymn Jesus and His disciples sang:
Psalm 118:22
The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:29 (last line)
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.
Psalm 118:22
The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
Psalm 118:24
This is the day that the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:29 (last line)
Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His loving devotion endures forever.
Church of the Lost Sheep 2012
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