He put a new song in my mouth. . . . Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. (Ps. 40:3)
What song do you sing? What is that word or phrase your coworkers tease you about saying often? Ask some family members, “What am I known for? What are my sayings?” My husband sings the efficiency song in our house. Our kids tease that he always knows a quicker, better way to do something. I sing a song about overcoming challenges—something like “If it doesn’t kill you, it makes you stronger. You’ll be fine.” We all have refrains that form the soundtrack of our lives.
When we’re waiting patiently, sitting in the slimy pit of our own despair, God wants us to sing our songs of lament. He listens while we describe injustice and false accusations leveled against us, and he is patient. Just as he is patient with us, we learn patience from him as we take on his character. As we grow to be more like him, our laments shift and he gives us a new song to sing. That new song in this psalm describes what God does: he lifts, he provides a firm foundation, he turns, he waits, he attends, he does wonders for us and has plans for us, and he does many loving deeds for his people.
Do you need a new song to sing today? Take a cue from a psalm, and let a phrase be the refrain of your day.
Whether it is a lament or a praise, sing a new song.
Erin Crisp is executive director of The Center for Learning and Innovation at IWU National & Global, and a contributing writer for Annesley Writer’s Forum.
© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
