Devotion
I Remember
Frances Taylor
The exiles in Babylon were being forced to sing "Yahweh's" songs and they were really not happy! Every time they sang of Jerusalem, of God's goodness they were reminded of what they had lost.
Music is an interesting force in our lives even if we're not aware of it. Think about when you were first in school, how did you learn the alphabet? I bet you sang the letters. Music can trigger memories either good or not. Why is it that couples have "their" song? And if the couple breaks up, that same song is painful to hear rather than joyous. For the Israelites their liturgical songs, their victory songs, all brought awareness of the fact that they were in exile because they had abandoned their God. This singer vows that he would rather lose his hands – that play the instrument – and his tongue – his ability to sing – than to give in to his captors.
The hymns we sing in our churches are prayers. Just as the book of Psalms was and is the hymnal and prayer book for the Jewish people. The hymns, more than sermons last in our memories. If you don't believe me, try to remember the last three sermons you heard, and then remember your three favorite hymns. We remember "In the Garden" when we need to be comforted by God's presence; "Rock of Ages" reminds us of God's saving acts. "Let There Be Peace on Earth" is an anthem that gatherings in churches and in communities unite to sing as a prayer of hope. I'm sure you can think of other hymns that have meaning for you. Think of how you would feel if you were in exile and were forced to sing these songs by your captors so that they could mock you. And then how you would feel if all of this was your own fault. The psalms have been kept alive for us so that we can relate to our ancestors in faith and know that we have a God who understands us as he understood them.
Prayer
Lord, may the music of our hearts bring us ever closer to you and remind us of the great love you have for us. Amen.
Night Prayer
My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.
Inspiration
God is our portion, our ultimate source of peace and happiness. We do not need to understand His ways or timing; we only need to know that He is always with us. God is our safety net, and He guides us through each struggle or hardship. We know terrible occurrences are bound to happen as we live in this imperfect world, but we have hope because God is with us every moment. His love will never fail.
Prayer
Dear Lord, we depend on You for peace and happiness all the days of our life. We are blessed because we can face any obstacle with You by our side. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Devotion
The Name Of God
Frances Taylor
God's name as it is written in Scripture is either Jehovah or Yahweh, or just YHWH. All are translations of He is Who He is. Because the Jewish people did not call God by the name he gave Moses. It is for this reason that the Jewish people were so angry when Jesus said that before Abraham came to be I AM. To say God's name was to blaspheme. For the people of Moses' time, names had power. They felt that to use the name of God was to say that they had power over God, and so the name was sacred. I can remember an uncle of mine who would often take not just the Lord's name in vain when he was angry, but would also use it to curse whoever he was angry with. I'm sure you know many people who do the same without even blinking an eye.
Good Christians, all, who would be horrified if they were called on it. We are offended when people use foul language, why are we not offended when the Lord's name is taken in vain? A friend of mine used to work in the office ...
Morning Prayer
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.
Inspiration
The contrast or tension between our worldly masters and our ultimate devotion to the Lord. These two things may not always be in conflict, so our obedience to both can be considered harmonious, even beneficial. But perhaps more often times than not, there is a disconnect between the two, just as in Christs' own time. The law of man is important in helping us maintain social order, modeled imperfectly as it is on God's moral order. But it is not and never will be the Law; for God does not respect our borders and our small islands of land with their governments. God respects what dwells ...
